Tenants "cleaned" after moving in, wants compensation

[stlouislandlord]

What is the name of your state? missouri:

Here's the bill I got for the tenants cleaning the house after moving in. I never said I'd clean anything more than what was already clean, they just cleaned the place and sent me a bill. I'll also point out the place was clean when the moved in, but clean is a relative term so my "clean" might be someone else's dirty. Still, has any landlord ever got a bill from a tenant for "cleaning" after they moved in? Also: they saw the house in person before renting or putting a deposit down and still rented.

Total Hrs: 32
Total Cost: $384.00

Living Room: Remove couches, tables, chair and garbage. Sweep, mop, and wax hardwood floor three times. Dust ceilings, walls and shelves. Clean and spray paint floor registers. Clean windows and sills. Clean light fixtures. Shopvac debris from floor registers. Hrs: 4

East Bedroom: Remove filing cabinets, toys, chair, and garbage. Sweep, mop, and wax hardwood floor three times. Dust ceilings and walls. Clean and spray paint floor registers. Clean windows and sills. Clean light fixtures. Shopvac debris from floor registers. Hrs: 4

Bathroom: Remove garbage from cabinet and linen shelves. Sweep and mop. Dust ceilings and walls. Clean tub, shower, sink, and toilet. Windex mirrors and window. Shopvac debris from floor registers and replace missing floor register. Clean overhead light fixtures. Clean linen shelves. Clean tile on walls. Clean showerhead of buildup. Clean sink cabinet. Hrs: 3

Kitchen/Nook: Remove old food from cabinets and fridge. Remove dirty dishes from sink. Remove dishes from cabinets and drawers. Remove garbage and debris from under kitchen sink. Remove debris from mop closet. Clean windows and sills. Shopvac floor registers, replace floor register. Clean in and out cabinets and drawers. Clean countertops and sink. Replace stove with used one from landlord and clean stove and oven. Dust ceilings and walls. Clean overhead light fixtures. Pick up, delivery and hook up of gas stove. Removal of old gas stove. Hrs: 8

West Bedroom: Remove the garbage that was being stored. Sweep and mop. Dust ceilings and walls. Clean and spray paint floor registers. Clean window and sill. Shopvac floor registers of debris. Hrs: 3

Master Bedroom/Southeast: Remove dresser and garbage. Sweep, mop and wax three times. Replace missing floor registers. Dust ceilings and walls. Clean windows and sills. Clean overhead light fixture. Hrs: 2

Basement/Garage: Remove dressers, old wood, microwaves, garbage and misc. items. Empty full trash cans left in basement. Hrs: 4

Back and front yard: Remove garbage and debris from premises including refrigerator parts, chicken bones, plastic wrappers, glass and beer bottles. There were also numerous bags of garbage left to be put on curb. Hrs: 4What is the name of your state?

[Ozark_Sophist]

Needed a laugh. Thanks for posting this.

Others will be along but my first reaction would be to send a letter back to tenant asking for damages due to the painting of the floor registers, costs associated with inspected their installation and hookup of the gas stove, etc. .

Was the furniture removed placed back in the apartment? If not, bill em.

Oh yeah. Reading your post (1/6 hour), responding to your post (1/6 hour), and oxygen (from laughing too hard - 1/2 hour). You owe me $30.

[Alaska landlord]

If they are on a monthly agreement send them a 30 day notice. This is only the beginning of a very interesting tenant-landlord relationship.

Along the same lines. You can also send them a bill for damages of 384.00 for damages due to painting floors. Remind them of your lease clause regarding alterations.

[Cvillecpm]

Ditto Alaska LL and if they are NOT on a M2M - write a letter and make sure your lease states no unauthorized repairs to the property without your permission.

I'd treat this as an unauthoried repair and ignore the bill for their services.

[CA LL]

While I agree with the other posters..I am bothered by the amount of items listed that if true you would rent a place out without first doing yourself...especially if the place is to be rented as UNfurnished and the "stuff" was leftover from previous tenants. Some items that stood out that should be done in between tenants by the landlord are:

Remove couches, tables, chair and garbage. Clean windows and sills. Clean light fixtures. Remove filing cabinets, toys, chair, and garbage. Remove garbage from cabinet and linen shelves. Sweep and mop. Clean tub, shower, sink, and toilet. Remove old food from cabinets and fridge. Remove dirty dishes from sink. Remove dishes from cabinets and drawers. Remove garbage and debris from under kitchen sink. Remove debris from mop closet. Clean in and out cabinets and drawers. Clean countertops and sink. Remove the garbage that was being stored. Remove dresser and garbage. Remove dressers, old wood, microwaves, garbage and misc. items. Remove garbage and debris from premises including refrigerator parts, chicken bones, plastic wrappers, glass and beer bottles. There were also numerous bags of garbage left to be put on curb.

At a MINIMUM you should have ALL trash, debris and personal belongings removed from the unit before renting to someone else. You said you "cleaned" but how can that be if in fact there really was trash, garbage, dishes, belongings, etc. all over the place?

Again I agree with the other posters to not pay the demanded bill BUT I have to question renting a place that obviously was not rent ready.

[BL]

Originally Posted by CA LL

While I agree with the other posters..I am bothered by the amount of items listed that if true you would rent a place out without first doing yourself...especially if the place is to be rented as UNfurnished and the "stuff" was leftover from previous tenants. Some items that stood out that should be done in between tenants by the landlord are:

Remove couches, tables, chair and garbage. Clean windows and sills. Clean light fixtures. Remove filing cabinets, toys, chair, and garbage. Remove garbage from cabinet and linen shelves. Sweep and mop. Clean tub, shower, sink, and toilet. Remove old food from cabinets and fridge. Remove dirty dishes from sink. Remove dishes from cabinets and drawers. Remove garbage and debris from under kitchen sink. Remove debris from mop closet. Clean in and out cabinets and drawers. Clean countertops and sink. Remove the garbage that was being stored. Remove dresser and garbage. Remove dressers, old wood, microwaves, garbage and misc. items. Remove garbage and debris from premises including refrigerator parts, chicken bones, plastic wrappers, glass and beer bottles. There were also numerous bags of garbage left to be put on curb.

At a MINIMUM you should have ALL trash, debris and personal belongings removed from the unit before renting to someone else. You said you "cleaned" but how can that be if in fact there really was trash, garbage, dishes, belongings, etc. all over the place?

Again I agree with the other posters to not pay the demanded bill BUT I have to question renting a place that obviously was not rent ready.

I agree on some if the rental was to be unfurnished .

That's what security Deposits are suppose to cover . Damages , cleaning , Etc. over normal wear and tear from the prior tenant .

Unless the new tenants agreed to do all this prior to moving in ( maybe a hurry move in was needed ) , you should work out some sort of compensation with them ( rent reduction within one month in a reasonable amount ) .

I can't see where it would take 8 hrs. for a gas stove , unless it belonged in a landfill .

Yes, I will laugh at some of the request .

Most folks will do normal upkeep cleaning upon moving in , even if the unit has been cleaned . Could be picky about getting germs . That one's on the tenants .

[Alaska landlord]

I always thoroughly clean my units even clean the outside of the windows and bring in a carpet cleaner for the carpets. A move in sheet should have been introduced before the tenants were given possession. This is always one of the most crucial things a LL can do to protect himself from tenants once they vacate the property. In this case the unit appears to be at least broom swept and the tenants did view and appear to have accepted the unit as is. They should have contacted the landlord prior to undertaking the task of further cleaning. There was no contract for further cleaning and the landlord was not given the option to correct the deficiencies cited. These are PITA tenants and they should go.

OP, If you feel you are not a good cleaner, hire a maid service or apt cleaning service company. They are usually pretty reasonable.

[ecmst12]

Did you seriously rent an apartment to people with OLD FOOD IN THE REFRIDGERATOR and DIRTY DISHES IN THE SINK? That's beyond disgusting!

[linuxguru]

That's pathetic that you would actually show a dirty apartment to a possible tenant. However they should only be reimburst some of the cost for the materials used to clean the apartment apart from some misc things here and there. I personally wouldn't have rented from you because only a slum lord would show a dirty apartment. The fact is, all this says something about you not them.

[Cvillecpm]

OP needs a proper move-out procedure.

I send letter 3 weeks prior to move out date WITH a 2 page cleaning check list AND copies of business cards or cleaning service and carpet cleaner.

I also have a 20% service fee (markup) on all cleaning work I have to do if the tenant does not do cleaning to my satisfaction....this is in my lease and I have been awarded the charge in Small Claims court actions.

In my check out letter, I also request their forwarding address on a size #10 envelope in order to facilitate their deposit return...those that follow the procedures get their deposit returned within 2 to 3 weeks....others wait the full 45 days allowed in my lease....

When tenants follow the rules, they are rewarded with their full deposit retunded.

[LindaP777]

I too, had mixed emothions! My first thought was "how dare they send you a cleaning bill!!!" And I laughed . . . until I read the extensive cleaning list and thought "it's LL like you that make the rest of us look bad!" Sounds like they did you a big flavor in cleaning up your place. Offer them 1/2 the amount they billed you for and see if they will accept it! With a little luck, the will leave the place nice & clean for your next tenants.

BTW - I thought we all might want to look at each others move in/out checklist for ideas. I have copied and pasted mine here for you (yes, I am picky, as I have very nice rentals) and yes, professional carpet cleaning is in the lease.


TENANT MOVE IN/OUT CHECK LIST

House must be left empty and in clean condition, with any and all repairs made prior to the time of walk through inspection. The MOVE IN check in list will be used as a comparison for all damages.

Carpeting: No holes or tears; note any stains beyond normal wear. Carpeting was professionally cleaned or brand new prior to renting and will be professionally cleaned before the next tenant (expense taken out of tenants security deposit)
Walls: Must be left in same condition as when rented. If the house was freshly painted, all holes must be patched and walls repainted, paint supplied by the landlord.
Ceilings: Must be free from stains or gouges.
Doors: All interior & exterior doors must be free of dirt, dents & cracks. Trim must be clean & unbroken.
Window coverings: Must be left in same condition as when rented. Mini blinds must be clean and functional without dents or broken slats.
Vinyl floors: Floor clean & unscuffed. Free from all stains, rips or tears.
Hardwood floors: Floor clean & unscuffed. Free from all scratches.
Ceramic tile flooring: Floor clean & free of chips and broken tiles.
Kitchen cabinets: Must be emptied completely & wiped out. Top of cabinet must be free from dust & dirt. Doors & handles free from dirt & dents.
Stove: Clean inside & out. No dents or scratches. Replace burner pans with new ones if heavily soiled. Clean underneath and behind stove (be careful when you pull it out that it does not damage flooring).
Refrigerator: Clean inside & out. No dents or scratches. Clean underneath and behind.
Dishwasher: Clean inside & out. No dents or scratches.
Disposal: Functional and clean.
Kitchen sink: Clean & free from all hard water stains.
Windows: All panes unbroken and clean.
Screens: All in place and free of holes or tears.
Bathrooms: Clean & free from all hard water stains. Check cabinet, sinks, toilets, tubs & walls.
Bedrooms: Check walls, flooring/carpet, windows, & doors (see above)
Laundry Room: Check walls, floor, windows (see items listed above)
Washer & Dryer: Clean inside & out. No dents or scratches.
Furnace: Furnace filter must be clean, replace if needed.
Registers & cold air return: must be free of dust & dirt.
Closets: Rods must be installed and unbent.
Smoke Detector: Must have working batteries.
Furnace Filter: must be clean, replace if needed.
Basement: Check walls, carpet, windows, & doors (see above).
Lights: Fixtures unbroken with working bulbs.
outside
dining room
kitchen
hall bath
utility room
bedrooms
master bath
garage
hallway
Garage: Floor free of stains. Door functional & undented. Holes in walls repaired & painted if needed.
Driveway: Free of stains.
Landscaping: Bushes & grass cut & trimmed, no litter in yard, no weeds in flowerbed.

Keys: All original keys must be returned.
house ______ garage ______ mailbox _______

[Alaska landlord]

I still give the LL the benefit of the doubt. Could be the tenants exaggerated about the whole condition of the apartment. Anyone that has put in years into this business knows that some tenants will make a disaster out of nothing. The dishes in the sink could very well have been a cup of water. The furniture may have been one chair or a lamp. It would have been nice if the poster would have returned to defend himself. He may have been able to clarify the condition of the house at the time is rented.

[FarmerJ]

When a unit is going to have a new tenant even if 1/10th of the list they sent you was true you should have cleaned it out alot better and taken pics of the unit to prove how nice and clean and empty it was before they moved in. NOW you should expect that since they claim to have gone to this much trouble they also have a written record of the conditions they found when they moved in, likely they took pics too, so warning If these people move out expect that if they leave the unit in good shape for you that you should return every penny of the deposit they paid. They likely will do the same thing documenting the condition of the unit when they leave and will be very prepared to challenge you on anything you try to hold back in small claims.