Ah my little Bond-girl Begonia,
As you know, Cleanliness is next to Godliness and as a landlord, I NEVER hand over a property that is not clean enough for me to live in----and I'm a clean freak!
Things that will help cleanup are bleach, and white vinegar (white vinegar cuts nasty dirt without damaging the carpets, etc.) I do not envy you your cleanup chore but be brave and we shall give you moral support!
YOur landlord must be a swine for giving you such a dirty place and you should complain to some higher authority about the situation---there are laws about such things!
Ha! You have 707 posts!
Anyway, I agree that usually landlords clean their property. That's the only way they have a leg to stand on if you try to leave it a mess!
Are there laws in Britain about it though? Crazy Brits...