Pre-Move Out Cleaning Expectations
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If you have tenants, you probably have realized that your definition of clean and the tenant’s is probably vastly different! When a tenant would move out, I would often have to go back in and touch up after even “the best” cleaning efforts of the tenant.
I changed my move-out process recently. I decided that just like an employee to employer relationship or a parent to child relationship, I need to tell the other party (my tenants) my expectations up front so as to not be frustrated after the fact. I accomplish this through two steps:
- About 30 days prior to move-out, I schedule a walk-through of the unit with the tenant. I point out any items that are damaged that they are definitely getting charged for (and if possible, they could repair themselves). We also go through each room and I explain what my cleaning expectations are. We spend the majority of our time in the bathroom and the kitchen.
- I leave them with a move-out document that lists the cleaning requirements for each room, appliance, and surface.
By having this walk-through and leaving them with something in writing, it allows me to see what repairs I may need to do at turnover, it often results in a much cleaner unit, and it reduces arguments when the tenant is expecting their damage deposit returned in full.
Scott Ficek is a Realtor with Keller Williams Integrity in Minneapolis and helps new and seasoned investors buy and own Minnesota investment property. He owns and manages almost 30 investment property units from single family to multi-family. Find his website at www.minnesotainvestmentrealestate.com or receive his blog via your RSS Feed or in your Email.
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