 Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Sara [FL]) Apr 15, 2019 7:32 PM
 Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Nicole [PA]) Apr 15, 2019 8:32 PM
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by JKJ [MA]) Apr 15, 2019 8:38 PM
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Sara [FL]) Apr 15, 2019 8:46 PM
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by JKJ [MA]) Apr 15, 2019 8:49 PM
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Robert J [CA]) Apr 15, 2019 9:36 PM
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by WMH [NC]) Apr 16, 2019 4:05 AM
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by S i d [MO]) Apr 16, 2019 4:57 AM
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Oregonwoodsmoke [ID]) Apr 16, 2019 6:43 AM
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by J [FL]) Apr 16, 2019 8:15 AM
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by J [FL]) Apr 16, 2019 8:16 AM
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Fishsticks [IA]) Apr 16, 2019 8:46 AM
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Adele [FL]) Apr 16, 2019 9:34 AM
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Oregonwoodsmoke [ID]) Apr 16, 2019 3:06 PM
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Apr 18, 2019 5:57 AM
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Sara [FL]) Posted on: Apr 15, 2019 7:32 PM
Message:
Hi!
Thanks all for great recommendations on previous mandatory rekeying fee topic (suggested by my real estate agent but not recommended by you LLs).
We receive a standard lease by attorneys who draw up the FL lease agreement for the property. (They also did NOT advise on a mandatory rekeying fee). However, in their standard lease, which I have not touched, they do include a mandatory $150 cleaning fee charge. We have had the unit cleaned before 3 years ago and it was about $150-175 so this is a reasonable charge, however, some other LLs have mentioned that I will receive the unit in a dirtier condition if I make the charge mandatory.
Please give me your advice, if I should take the mandatory out and say that a cleaning fee will be charged if unit is not cleaned accordingly to a checklist that I will provide.
--73.137.xx.xx |
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Nicole [PA]) Posted on: Apr 15, 2019 8:32 PM
Message:
no one can predict as it will be different for each tenant.
I would guess most people won't "clean". You'll get the place back as they lived. I sure wouldn't be down scrubbing baseboards if you were going to charge me. I dust mine off weekly (well maybe every two weeks) and that is what you'd get from me. --72.70.xxx.xx |
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by JKJ [MA]) Posted on: Apr 15, 2019 8:38 PM
Message:
Just my way of doing things, but I turn the unit over to tenants clean and move in ready and expect to get it back that way. I do an inspection report with the tenant, and my lease states the unit is clean and in move in condition, at the termination of the lease or surrender of the unit if it is not returned clean and move in ready it will be cleaned at their expense. I also have that the fridge and stove are clean and upon termination of the lease or surrender of the unit if they are not clean there will be a flat rate of $50 to clean the fridge and $100 to clean the stove. I also note on the inspection report that the fridge and stove are clean and sanitary. I make a point of showing the new tenant the inside of the fridge and oven and remind them of this addendum in the lease. I added this after having to clean the stove and fridge virtually every time a tenant moved out even if they cleaned the rest of the unit. Since putting it in I’ve only had to give them a quick once over, not spend hours cleaning them. My time is valuable. --71.248.xxx.xxx |
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Sara [FL]) Posted on: Apr 15, 2019 8:46 PM
Message:
I didn’t mention that we live 7 hours away from our rental, our real estate agent helps us manage it. I cannot go inspect the property myself but she will. I know the 7 hr away thing is another topic of convo but we are not open to selling the property. --73.137.xx.xx |
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by JKJ [MA]) Posted on: Apr 15, 2019 8:49 PM
Message:
If I was a tenant and my lease stated I have to pay a mandatory fee of $150 to clean the unit, I wouldn’t clean anything, Id just move out. Seems to me your asking to be left with a mess. My thought is if a tenant knows that if they don’t clean they will have to pay to have it cleaned, at least then there’s a chance that they will clean it so they don’t have to pay the cleaning fee. If they have to pay regardless if they clean or not, then there’s ZERO chance they will clean. --71.248.xxx.xxx |
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: Apr 15, 2019 9:36 PM
Message:
I don't have a standard cleaning fee because any amount I try to charge will be disputed. Instead, I explain to the exiting tenant that unless they do some cleaning, I will hire a cleaning crew and pass on the costs. Anywhere from $100 to $500. --47.156.xx.xx |
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by WMH [NC]) Posted on: Apr 16, 2019 4:05 AM
Message:
I want my tenants to know they at least have a chance of getting THEIR money back. And if they do no damage and clean so that the place is move-in ready for the next tenant ("Ready to Occupy") they WILL. If I have to retain money that means work for me: hiring a cleaning crew or repairing things, etc. I want to just send a check! --50.82.xxx.xx |
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by S i d [MO]) Posted on: Apr 16, 2019 4:57 AM
Message:
I don't see any evidence supporting a mandatory cleaning fee, because as others have said it encourages people NOT to clean, but also it gives you zero advantage vs. a typical move-out that does not have the mandatory fee.
Just provide the outgoing renters a checklist of things you expect to be cleaned, and maybe they will clean. If they fail to clean, hire the cleaners and charge their fee against the security deposit.
You achieve the same result as having a mandatory cleaning fee and get reimbursed for work they failed to do. And sometimes they do a great job which knocks 1-3 days off your turn around time and no hassle hiring and checking the cleaner's work. --173.20.xxx.xxx |
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Oregonwoodsmoke [ID]) Posted on: Apr 16, 2019 6:43 AM
Message:
Gosh, I wish I could get a house leaned for $150. My last move out cleaning cost $325 and that wasn't deep down dirty: no caked on soap scum, the fridge was already clean, but floors and windows needed to be cleaned.
I bagged up the left clothing and food and garbage and started the self-cleaning oven myself, so that $325 didn't even include hauling out the garbage.
I want my tenants to hope to get their money back. The same for pet deposits (when I used to charge pet deposits). I don't want the tenants thinking that damage has been pre-paid. --98.146.xxx.xxx |
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by J [FL]) Posted on: Apr 16, 2019 8:15 AM
Message:
"We receive a standard lease by attorneys who draw up the FL lease agreement for the property. (They also did NOT advise on a mandatory rekeying fee)."
The PM company I used briefly had a $25 rekeying fee, so I believe it's legal here. I don't do that though because I think it's lame. Changing locks is just one of the costs of doing business, not something the tenant should be charged for. --72.188.xxx.xxx |
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by J [FL]) Posted on: Apr 16, 2019 8:16 AM
Message:
Woodsmoke, are you charged non-ref. pet fees now, or still deposits? --72.188.xxx.xxx |
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Fishsticks [IA]) Posted on: Apr 16, 2019 8:46 AM
Message:
When we have a tenant give notice, I send a "cleaning check list" with a letter stating these are all the things we expect to be done and the more they do, the less I have to do. If they do it all and there is nothing left for us to do, then I dont have to charge them anything... and 99% of the time, the list is taken care of a there isn't anything for us to do.
Its all in the open relationship we have with the tenants. I let them know what we expect and they work with me :) --98.22.x.xxx |
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Adele [FL]) Posted on: Apr 16, 2019 9:34 AM
Message:
I do have a cleaning fee tenant signs off on. The amount depends on how big the unit is. I stress to the tenant that the cleaner they leave the apartment the more money they will not be paying out of their deposit. It seems to work. Of $120, I have given $80 back, for instance, with a thorough cleaning mostly except they left the baseboards to dust , a few spots on the walls for Majic Eraser cleaning, and oven in need of work. I reward the effort and results. --66.87.xxx.xx |
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by Oregonwoodsmoke [ID]) Posted on: Apr 16, 2019 3:06 PM
Message:
{{{{{......Woodsmoke, are you charged non-ref. pet fees now, or still deposits?.....}}}}}
Neither. I build the pet deposit into the regular deposit and everyone pays it, pets or not.
There are too many tenants claiming service animal so that they don't have to pay pet deposit or pet rent. I'm doing the end run around them. They pay the deposit because it is not specified for pets.
Non refundable pet deposit is against the law in Oregon. I think it is legal in Idaho where I've just moved to. But the tenant grapevine has taught them all how to get out of paying it. --98.146.xxx.xxx |
Mandatory Cleaning Fee? (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Apr 18, 2019 5:57 AM
Message:
Sara,
For 30+ years I charged a basic $200 Exit Cleaning Fee and got back homes than needed lots of cleaning. I THOUGHT I was being proactive and clever to cover cleaning costs.
I shifted to $50 per hour for cleaning, posted in the lease, along with a full page list of Standard Cleaning and Repair Costs. We deliver copies of the cleaning checklist THEY INITIALLED at move move when we recieve notice and again 2 weeks before their anticipated move out date.
We now get back homes that are spotless and ready.
Whatever your policy, it must be WRITTEN in the lease or a judge cannot grant it.
BRAD --73.102.xxx.xxx |
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