I have a 3/2, ~1500 sqft SFR rental, and I’ve paid someone to clean it twice for the last 2 tenant turnovers. The first time, the cleaners said they couldn’t remove certain grease stains in the kitchen cabinets. The tenants that moved in at the time just lived with it, but did ask for redo of cleaning the bathrooms and window sills.
The most recent time I had a few quotes come through. One quoted over $600 and said she couldn’t get the grease stains out, and that black stains on the glass cooktop are just wear and can’t be removed (I know that’s false because I’ve removed those myself I’m the past with steel wool). I ended up hiring someone for $250 who did remove the cabinet grease stains and cooktop stains. And I thought she did a pretty good job overall. Then the tenants moved in and are still saying a lot isn’t clean. What is the standard these days? How do you handle this? At this point I have already returned the prior tenant’s deposit. The new tenants haven’t asked for me to credit them, but I fear for next time the same thing happening.
Also, I have not had the exterior of the home cleaned. What is the standard expectation with that? New tenants want to pressure wash and I’m a little nervous to let them.
For the cleaning, I’d say “this was already cleaned multiple times. However if you want to find a housekeeper to clean it to your standard you are welcome to to do this…” And see what they have to say. If they insist, you can compromise and say “as good will o will give you $100 towards your cleaner”….
Also far as the pressure washer, I would say the exterior appearance is as is. Pressure washer is not permitted as it can cause damage to the surfaces.
Thanks for your opinions! I wish I could tell them take a hike, this is all happening after signing the lease. Now I’m locked in with them for 12 months, and there have been SO many more requests. I chose them because I felt I had to as they were the highest income applicants, but I’m really wishing I had gone with other applicants who I had a sense would be more chill.
Lesson learned. A couple years back there were questions about installing home gyms in garages and hot tubs. Those were danger signals as youve learned some higher end renters can be quite needy
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