Does Seller or Buyer pay for professional cleaner?

Question

Recently I sold my home, and the final walk-through was one hour before closing￼. All personal items were removed from the house and was given more than just a broom sweep clean. The oven dishwasher refrigerator and microwave were all cleansed prior to leaving the home. ￼ all nail holes from pictures or mirrors were spackled and painted￼￼￼￼. The windows were cleaned a new air filter was placed and all carpets were vacuumed. ￼ The granite countertops were shined and moldings were wiped down.￼

During the final walk-through the buyer stated that the house was left in disarray. We took videos of our cleaning and provided it to both agents. The buyer demanded for a professional clean. There was no concession or statement in our agreement that the seller would have to pay for a professional cleaner.

My question is who would pay for the professional cleaner in this circumstance? ￼￼￼￼￼￼￼￼￼

Charlie MacPherson · Answer

@James Morrissey  The buyer might WANT a professional cleaner, but with no agreement to that effect in your contract, cleaning is on the buyer.

In the two states where I'm licensed, our standard agreements require that the property be delivered "vacant and broom clean".

BTW - good job doing your walk through an hour before closing! The closer to closing the better, because once closing is complete, the terms of the contract are deemed to be met and there is no more room for last minute concessions.

Mark H. Porter · Answer

Usually the house is transferred “broom clean” unless negotiated beforehand.

Mindy Jensen · Answer

If they wanted it sparkling clean, they should have negotiated that in the contract.

Some people will never be satisfied...

Mike Cumbie · Answer

Sounds like the buyer is doing the "last minute money grab". Very common, even encouraged by some agents. It always makes for fun time. Takes a good solid, happy transaction and in our state turns it into (3 lawyers scrambling, 2 agents, buyers and sellers) all because there is a scratch on a handrail or a garden wasn't weeded.

Lien Vuong · Answer

Buyer is being outrageous and have not agreed to a professional cleaning service per agreement so their expectations are completely out of wack. Your selling agent should push back and talk to the buying agent and put the buyers in their place.

Danielle Gray · Answer

Unless agreed to prior, broom swept clean is the standard. You have proof of literally broom sweeping clean and it's not noted as a requirement in the contract. So at this point it's in the hands of the buyer. Like Russell stated, if they choose not to close because of this they are in default of contract.

Russell Brazil · Answer

Broom swept clean is the standard everywhere I do business. If it was, and you have videos, provide that to both agents, and the title attorney (if you are in a state with a title attorney). Id let their agent and title attorney know, that the property has been delivered in the required condition, and if the buyer chooses not to close they will be in default of the contract.

Theresa Harris · Answer

I agree with all of the others.  If they want it professionally cleaned, they can do it.  They are just going to mess it up when they move their stuff in anyhow.  Smart move taking a video.

Jonathan Greene · Answer

Sounds like you went above and beyond. As everyone said, broom swept is the norm. I've had garbage left all over and in that case, we held money in escrow for cleaning, but you had it all ready. Some people just think they should get everything they want just because they want it.

James Morrissey · Answer

Thanks all for the input!! This helps solidify our research and peace of mind. I wanted to ensure there is integrity in our chosen decision.

Does Seller or Buyer pay for professional cleaner?

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