I had another tenant accept my offer to clean at move out. All of the tenants items must be removed and floors swept clean. This makes it easier because a tenants idea of clean and what must be done are miles apart. The biggest problem area is the kitchen.

I would be interested in learning if the folks moving out believe they have a license to leave the place trashed out.

Probably a bit off topic but I have to say that I like (I'm amused, I guess is more like it) when the tenant says "I'm all moved out and it's all cleaned... I TOOK PICS!!" as though it's a threat.

The tenant cleans via my checklist until the place is READY TO OCCUPY by the next tenant or they are charged, period. They can't pick and choose to clean the fridge and not the stove for instance - they either do it all or a hired cleaner will do it all, to the checklist.

The checklist is discussed at first showing, it's in every lease, and it is provided when they give notice, at least two weeks before scheduled Move-out and again right before.

wmh I do the same thing (and now it's a "law" in NYS) but I've always gone through a complete Move in checklist with the tenants and walk around the apartment with them noting anything as well as taking a complete video and commenting on certain things (such as no damage to the walls or was just painted, no damage to hardwood floors or a "slight scratch" here, etc.). I also take still photos of the blemishes (if any) as well as they are noted on the move in sheet. We all sign it.

They also get a copy of that list when (if) they give notice and they get it after I've gone through the apartment (and it's a great tool for me to see and remember that the mark was or was not there).

Spotless = absolutely clean or pure, immaculate.

Horse feathers !

RB, YOU are full of horsehockey.

People ARE capable of following instructions, and when you are holding 2x the rent in Security they tend to have an added incentive to do so.

Jim,

I like your thinking!

I used to split out $200 of the depsoit as EXIT CLEANING FEE.

It backfired. Move outs were filthy because they felt they had already paid in advance for US to clean.

I now offer a $100 bonus. If they make it super clean, ready for the next family, and there is absolutely nothing for us to do.

I have given several bonuses for clean moveouts and most of the rest are 90% clean. Broken mini blinds is usually the lift over problem. Very few moveouts that require real cleaning or nastiness.

I want them to clean because it is nearly possible to hire anyone in my city. I am very short on laborers.

My thinking, my SD is one to two months rent so my $250 to $350 is nickels compared to their SD. Also, along with the pain of moving not having to do a good cleaning job is one less headache so the tenant says “YOU DO IT”.

The tenant I mentioned refused my offer originally and when moving day came she decided to accept my offer.

$250 from $2600 (I always make my SD a different amount than the rent) is not an earth shattering amount.

that's a great idea but i've never had a unit come back not needing repairs or cleaning regardless of the quality of my tenants or offers. they get slammed as the move date approcaches and just give up. my biggest problem is getting decent work at a price i think fair. i'm generous with tenant deposits for repairs and cleaning but the rates for such in calif have gone skyhigh.

Mike, as taught by Jeffrey, we get in and assess for repairs at least 45 days prior to the scheduled move. If it's just blinds, which it usually is these days, we have at least 24 hours between tenants built-in to our leases (old out by noon last day, new in after noon next day...)

If it's more substantial repairs, we do them before the old tenant leaves. They've caused the need, they can deal with the inconvenience. But that just doesn't happen too often these days.