UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi was hoping somebody may be able to help.
Have recently signed up for a rental property (paid the agency and holding fees) and made the letting agents aware we have a bearded dragon when asked about pets from the offset. However, got a phone call today stating that the landlady will deduct money from our deposit for deep cleaning after we have left the property due to the fact we have a bearded dragon which she expects to smell..... we haven 't even moved in, OR paid the deposit yet!
Its worth noting that my dragon lives in a vivarium which I clean on a daily basis ergo she does not smell. Whilst I am more than happy to sign a disclaimer stating any damage made by my animal will be made right, I do not feel a deep clean would be necessary at all, especially considering all floors are wood and the property is unfurnished and for her to be already trying to take some of our deposit does not fill me with confidence!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

The Landlord holds the cards, most likely. The terms being set out up front is surely better than a surprise at the end of the tenancy? That seems to be a good thing. As a prospective Tenant you, of course, have the right to vote with your feet. It is becoming rare for some Landlords to even consider pets these days. I consider them, but I do advertise as "no pets", and if I agree to them then I ask for an additional £100 on the deposit... with no preconceived idea what that night, or might not, be used for. That said, enforced 'professional' cleaning charges are considered to be an unfair term and condition by the OFT. Look up "oft356" and have a good read. What would worry me more about all this is that you do not start out in your new property on good terms with your Landlord if you push back too much on this in any way. It would be a shame to commence the Tenant / Landlord relationship in an adversarial way.

The always charge after my bearded lady wife leaves for a deep clean!