Tips for Cleaning Your Rental Property Between Tenants
As a landlord, cleaning your rental property between tenants is essential. When new tenants move in, they expect the property to be clean and well-maintained. Not only does this improve your image as a landlord, but it will help to keep your property maintained over time.
There are some important factors when cleaning your rental property between tenants and things that you should definitely pay attention to. From repainting the walls to professionally cleaning any carpets, here are some tips for making sure your rental property is spotless for your incoming tenants.
Let the Current Tenants Start
Before your current tenants move out, require them to do a thorough cleaning of the apartment. The best way to word this requirement in a lease is to say that they must return the property as it was given to them. This also means that if you want the property returned clean, then you must first give the tenants the property, it must be clean.
When your current tenants move out, attend a walk through with them. Inspect that they have cleaned it to your standards and let them know of any damages that may be taken out of their security deposit.
Repair Damages
While cleaning your rental property between tenants, it’s important that you repair any damages that the previous tenants may have caused or that you just haven’t gotten around to fixing. This can include any holes in the walls or scuffs on the floor. Depending on the severity of the damage and if it was caused by the previous tenants, you may be able to use the security deposit to cover the cost of fixing it.
Have Carpets Professionally Cleaned
If your rental property has carpeting, it’s important to have them professionally cleaned between tenants. This is especially true if the previous tenants had pets. The pet hair can linger, which can cause a lot of issues if the new tenant is allergic to that type of animal.
Not to mention, carpeting is a breeding ground for bacteria and unwanted dirt and dust between those fibers. Sometimes, depending on the previous tenants, you may have to replace the carpeting.
Something to consider while owning a rental property is to replace carpeting with hardwood floors. They are easier to maintain, won’t have a lingering smell, and won’t need to be replaced often.
Repaint the Walls
It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do to a property. Even if you simply repaint the walls a white color, it will give the property a whole new look that feels clean and refreshed. Your new tenants will appreciate that you took the time to repaint the property and make it feel new for them. Not only will it give the place a fresh look, but it will cover up any marks or scratches that may have been left on the walls from the previous tenants.
Inspect the Bathrooms
Bathrooms are one of the key rooms a landlord should pay attention to while cleaning your rental property between tenants. There is a high chance that mold could be growing in the bathroom from the steam that lingers after someone takes a shower. If there is mold, it’s important to take care of it as quickly as possible as it can be harmful to your tenants. Also inspect for any grime or mildew that may have been left behind in the sink, tub, shower, and tiles.
Along with cleaning the bathroom, it’s important that you check for any plumbing issues. Nobody wants to move into a new apartment where they will always have problems with a slow drain or running toilet.
Maintain the Exterior
While cleaning the inside of your property is extremely important between tenants, the exterior should not be overlooked. If there is any landscaping that needs to be taken care of or a mailbox that needs to be readjusted, then you should make those repairs before the new tenants move in. The exterior of your property is the first thing your new tenants will see. It gives the very first impression of not only your rental property but you as a landlord.
Build Good Rapport with Tenants
It’s important to build a good relationship with your tenants. A great way to start this is by providing your new tenants with a clean and fully functioning apartment. They will appreciate the effort you put into maintaining your property and making sure that they have a nice place to live.
When you have a good relationship with your tenants, they will tend to respect you more and you are less likely to have to chase them for rent or have any issues with them throughout their lease. So, to build this rapport, first start by cleaning your rental property between tenants.