I have never had this happen before but what would you do (as far as charging prorated rent, we would also charge cleaning fees) if a tenant left a place extremely dirty when they moved out and it takes several days to get a cleaning team in to clean it. Have any of you charged for the days you were not able to rent because you needed to have the place cleaned? Just showed a place and I am thinking it will not be cleaned...

Send them a very detailed cleaning checklist. They still have time.

I wish I could post a photo I have - the NIGHT BEFORE last day, their house was a complete and utter shambles. The yard too. They had been given the checklist several times, so we just waited: the house was still theirs and they ASSURED us it would be clean.

IT WAS! They got their friends, their moms, their friends' moms...they pulled an all-nighter and by golly, it was spotless! A pile of trash in a trailer ready to haul off in the yard when the dump opened - and they did it.

Just had it happen in mid November. she moved out the 15th nov. I charged for the full month because it took me 15 days to clean and remove her left over furniture, kids toys, dishes, clothes ect. kept her full deposit. She left her washer, dryer, t.v , microwave. She had the nerve to text me told me to call her EX HUSBAND and "make moving arrangements" for him to come get these items. The way I look at it is it is not my job to make arrangements to move her stuff. SHE should of made those arrangements not dump it off on me.

Then she text me saying she left the place clean. I don't call me having to haul 3 pick up truck beds FULL of her personal items to the dump "clean".

I sent her a copy of the lease with sections highlighted that were not done according to the lease. Plus I found out she had not only a dog but a cat. I found her 25lb of cat food and cat litter bags in the trash cans I set out for her.

TN said about janets post.

In order to have a good move out you need a through move in inspection and documentation-- with tenants signature.

So move in inspection to use when they move out for comparison.

Second FOLLOW YOUR STATE law concerning inspection time to repair and reinspection-- what notice does the law require.

Once the tenant leaves the keys they are done. They are not allowed to go back in-- especially on there own-- how can they? they gave you the keys. Access for them is over.

I've said it several times, a good move-out begins before they even sign the lease. Expectations of what CLEAN means are discussed multiple times: and we mean hotel clean not 'broom clean'! And it is spelled out in the lease (every time) and they get reminded several times between notice and move-out.

I wouldn't charge for days that the house was empty because I could not get a cleaning crew. That in no way is the tenant's fault or responsibility. However, if I got right in there and got to cleaning and it took three days to clean it, then I might charge for those days.

Wix,

I charge rent as long as their personal items are in the house.

I also charge full retail-plus prices. The higher prices helps cover any down time during turnover.

They left it for me to clean, they agreed on the lease at $65 per hour plus materials, dump fees, and mileage.

Any time lost waiting for a cleaning crew is THEIR problem not mine. Grown adults are perfectly capable of trashing out and cleaning but they chose not to.

BRAD

Also ALWAYS start high. You can always offer a discount to negotiate or to pay early.

AND judges never ADD money to the bill, only SUBTRACT.

AND compare prices. Molly Maids wants $450 to clean a 1 bedroom apt. More to gatherup trash.

BRAD

Our contract now states $75 hr for cleaning. We make sure to point it out, and tell them if they don't want to clean it might be cheaper to hire it done.