I'm thinking of developing a "forced cleaning" policy for rooming house tenants who have an issue keeping their room clean. Here's how it works:

1st Offense of excessive dirtiness : $ 50 assessment

2nd Offense : $ 75.00

3rd Offense: Mandatory cleaning. Management will immediately dispatch our building’s professional cleaning service to enter your room and thoroughly clean and sanitize it to protect the building from health and pest hazards..The total invoice cost for this specialized labor will be billed directly to you and the service will continue on a monthly basis.

Why? I'm tired of going back and forth with this with one particular roomer and I don't want to stuck with the bill should they move or should I have to put them out. I figure a "forced cleaning" is the solution. The cleaners come every other week already, so these would just be added to their list of things to do.

Is it just one "slob" in a house full of clean people? Perhaps the others can "encourage" him to improve due to them not wanting him to bring odors & pests. Have any of them complained? Of course lack of a formal complaint to you does not = them not being concerned. However, I think if another roomer DID report it, that means they are VERY concerned.

Also, if he is the only one - and bad enough - the clean ones may get fed up & leave.

As far as forcing & charging just the one roomer....I understand your frustration. But, how can you objectively measure the degree of filth at any given time to determine what "excessive dirtiness" is? Now I know you & I know what that is, but I'm thinking along the lines of treating every roomer equally.

Perhaps eviction would be the best. I'm sure you have a clause about the necessity of keeping the premises clean and sanitary. It would also set the tone for the entire house, that filth is not acceptable. Just in case anyone is starting to feel like "he gets away with it, why should I do so much cleaning"?

to ensure you do not trigger the 3rd offense, you must strictly adhere to the following standards at all times:

Food Storage: No open food wrappers, empty cans, or dirty dishes may be left out in your room at any time. All food inside your room must be sealed in airtight containers or kept in a refrigerator.

Dry Goods & Kitchen Cabinets: All dry goods must be stored in the common area kitchen cabinets provided for you. Every single item must be clearly labeled with your name. Unlabeled food is subject to disposal.

Trash Removal: All garbage, food waste, and organic matter must be bagged immediately and placed in the outside trash cans.

Odor Control: Your room must remain entirely free of foul odors, garbage smells, or rotting food. If a smell can be detected from the hallway, you are in immediate violation.

Floors and Surfaces: Floors and surfaces must be kept entirely clear of accumulated trash and debris.

Gman,

I like your thinking. If I understand you want to CHARGE him before he leaves which I like.

Are we talking clutter, hoarding, or stinky trash attracting bugs?

Is it affecting the house or the other residents?

No matter how hard we try we cannot change the leopard's spots. Some people just don't SEE "unlcean" so we're just flappin our lips in the wind to convince them to "clean".

THEY will not change and it just drives US up a wall.

If it is truly and problem and bothers you or the neighbors, I'd charge him $XX to prepay your cleaning lady now then non-renew or evict.

GKARL - Get rid of him.

You have talked to him before about this and he has not changed his dirty ways. You own the building and for people to stay they must adhere to your level of cleanliness.

PS

And consider your building's reputation.

I have the same issue with my student tenants. It's the common areas that never get cleaned, especially the kitchen and bathroom.

How they keep their rooms is their business, but the greasy pans, caked on food on the stove, food splatters on the wall behind the stove, and dirty dishes left in the sink are awful.

Of course I get the " I cleaned my part" crap but it still is a mess.

I told them that I was hiring a professional house cleaner to come in and take care of it at their expense.

One of the students said "it wasn't that clean when I moved in". I said that was a year ago and you should have said something then!

They don't have a choice. Either they pay for the cleaning, or they go!

I said I will also conduct monthly inspections and said it stays clean, or I will send 30 day notices.

It's always someone else's fault.