Cleaning is one of the top issues that tenants and landlords complain about when it comes to let property. We all clean our properties so what’s the issue? Could it be that all of us have different standards of cleanliness?
We will be examining through our own experience as inventory specialists, some of the issues with professional cleaning and how to streamline the process when it comes to a tenant moving in and out of a property. We will as usual also share our best practice tips based upon our own experience as an Inventory company and look at who gets involved in ensuring things go smoothly when it comes to the cleanliness of a let property.
We will be examining through our own experience as inventory specialists, some of the issues with professional cleaning and how to streamline the process when it comes to a tenant moving in and out of a property. We will as usual also share our best practice tips based upon our own experience as an Inventory company and look at who gets involved in ensuring things go smoothly when it comes to the cleanliness of a let property.
Professional Cleaning – who should be involved?
The below are 3 typical stereotypes of individuals who will be engaged in letting a property and who will have expectations of cleanliness. It also follows their typical thought process.
The Professional Landlord – a professional landlord will have significant experience in the letting of property and will know the pitfalls and issues with cleaning before letting a property and when the tenant leaves. They avoid these issues by doing the following:
The reliable trustworthy tenant – Many tenants today see renting as a long-term choice, they expect the following:
A letting agent and leader in their field – They understand to make their lives easier they must operate in a professional manner to serve the needs of the Landlord and the tenant, they play a special role as they are central to the process, they invoke the following:
In a perfect world the above are the ideal stereotypes, but we know that this is not always the case.
The below are 3 typical stereotypes of individuals who will be engaged in letting a property and who will have expectations of cleanliness. It also follows their typical thought process.
The Professional Landlord – a professional landlord will have significant experience in the letting of property and will know the pitfalls and issues with cleaning before letting a property and when the tenant leaves. They avoid these issues by doing the following:
- Prior to letting the property they inspect for issues and damages, they rectify them and then have the property professionally cleaned and presented for tenant viewings. Usually issues of damage and cleaning will be picked out in the previous check out report which makes the Landlords life much easier to target what needs to be done
- Prior to the tenant moving in they may perform a ‘sparkle’ clean which is just a final review of cleanliness.
- They will then conduct a full check in/inventory which will detail condition with descriptions and photos as well as a detailed cleaning summary of all items. This will be discussed with and sent to the incoming tenant to set expectations.
- When the tenant leaves the Landlord gets a 3rd party company to do an unbiased check out which will examine if levels of cleanliness are to the same standard as at check in.
- They will utilise the check-out report to assign costs of cleaning if required to get the property back to the same condition of cleanliness.
- They know if the property is professionally cleaned at check in then that is likely to be the last time, they have to pay for a clean going forward as the responsibility lies with the tenant to present back to the same standard.
The reliable trustworthy tenant – Many tenants today see renting as a long-term choice, they expect the following:
- High quality accommodation. This means a good quality property with no defects and professionally cleaned at check in.
- A robust lettings process when they move property, this means a full inventory has been completed to protect their deposit and ensure dilapidations and cleaning defects are correctly recorded.
- To return the property in the same condition at check out, as they did at check in cleaned to the same standards. If the property was professionally cleaned, they should clean it to the same standard, or employ a company to do it.
A letting agent and leader in their field – They understand to make their lives easier they must operate in a professional manner to serve the needs of the Landlord and the tenant, they play a special role as they are central to the process, they invoke the following:
- They educate the Landlord and give direction on the value of a well presented and professionally cleaned property available for let. They can demonstrate to a Landlord the value of taking care of a property and cleaning standards.
- They understand they play a role in ensuring properties they let out are presented to professional clean standards and do not breach health and safety guidelines.
- They educate the tenant on check in and check out by having an unbiased third party conduct the check in and check out inventory so there is no dispute over cleaning issues. They ensure they send the original check in inventory 2 weeks before check-out so the tenant has time to review the original condition and rectify issues in preparation for the check out.
- They know a well organised check in and check out will clearly identify issues of cleanliness making it easy for all parties to come to an agreement.
In a perfect world the above are the ideal stereotypes, but we know that this is not always the case.
Why is Professional Cleaning of Such high importance when letting a property?
Recent changes to the law around collecting deposits and the abolition of any tenant fee charges means it is imperative that Landlords and Agents get their businesses in order to meet the requirements of the industry in providing high quality accommodation, including high standards of cleanliness. If these are not met, then this can cost the agent and landlord time, money and reputational risk.
As you already know we at Clear Property Service Company conduct clear unbiased inventory reports including check ins and check outs. In our inventory reports we document full cleanliness summaries and detail standards of cleaning as follows:
Levels of cleanliness explained
Professionally Clean - Cleaning conducted to a very high standard, or item looks to be in new condition
Domestic Clean - Cleaning conducted to a good high standard, item may look used
Further Cleaning Required - An attempt has been made to clean the item; however further cleaning is required to bring the item to a clean condition. This includes, dust, crumbs, debris which can accumulate during void periods, limescale, watermarks.
Not Clean - No attempt has been made to clean the item; it requires full cleaning to bring the item back to a clean condition.
Recent changes to the law around collecting deposits and the abolition of any tenant fee charges means it is imperative that Landlords and Agents get their businesses in order to meet the requirements of the industry in providing high quality accommodation, including high standards of cleanliness. If these are not met, then this can cost the agent and landlord time, money and reputational risk.
As you already know we at Clear Property Service Company conduct clear unbiased inventory reports including check ins and check outs. In our inventory reports we document full cleanliness summaries and detail standards of cleaning as follows:
Levels of cleanliness explained
Professionally Clean - Cleaning conducted to a very high standard, or item looks to be in new condition
Domestic Clean - Cleaning conducted to a good high standard, item may look used
Further Cleaning Required - An attempt has been made to clean the item; however further cleaning is required to bring the item to a clean condition. This includes, dust, crumbs, debris which can accumulate during void periods, limescale, watermarks.
Not Clean - No attempt has been made to clean the item; it requires full cleaning to bring the item back to a clean condition.
” Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not.” – Oprah Winfrey
If you are a tenant, agent or landlord these tend to be the accepted requirements to ensure a property is professionally cleaned. We follow these for quality of cleaning when we do our inventory reports and at check in and check out. You should follow these steps if you are a Landlord or Agent prior to letting and if you are a tenant about to leave a property. If you need help on this ask a specialist cleaning supplier who can do this for you, you may find it to be surprisingly cost effective with amazing results.
Contact us now on [email protected] or +44 7932 760 563; for advice and guidance on professional cleaning requirements.
Contact us now on [email protected] or +44 7932 760 563; for advice and guidance on professional cleaning requirements.
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