Deposit. Cost of cleaning.

At the beginning of the lease relationship, the tenant paid a deposit of ISK 220,000 in addition to a deposit of ISK 50,000 to cover cleaning costs. On return of the rented premises, the landlord complained that the premises had not been adequately cleaned. The tenant therefore cleaned the apartment again and mentioned that, if the landlord were not satisfied after this cleaning, there was the deposit to cover cleaning costs if he had to purchase cleaning services after the return of the apartment. The landlord returned the ISK 220,000 deposit but retained the ISK 50,000 cleaning deposit. The tenant demanded the repayment of the cleaning deposit as the landlord had not used that money to pay for cleaning.

The Complaints Committee did not consider that the tenant had agreed that the landlord was to keep the cleaning deposit; it was to be accessible if it proved necessary to purchase cleaning services. As the landlord had neither made a claim against the cleaning deposit nor purchased cleaning services, he was ordered to return the ISK 50,000, with arrears interest.

Conclusion: The tenant’s demand for the repayment of the cleaning deposit was approved.