How to explain Mandatory Minimum Cleaning Fee?

[Jon S.]

Do you charge mandatory minimum cleaning fees ( stipulate it in the lease) and apply against the deposit when the tenant moves out? If so, how much? My apartments have all tile floors, so there is no carpet to tear out or clean, but I will probably need to hire a grout cleaning company to re-clean and re-seal the grout between tenants, in order to make the unit presentable to prospective tenants. I expect I will also need to do some touch up paint, minor repairs, and a heavy duty cleaning, between tenants. That all costs money to do. How much does it usually cost if you hire someone to do the touch up painting and the heavy duty cleaning? Is it fair to charge a mandatory cleaning fee?  How do prospective tenants react about mandatory cleaning fees in the lease? How do you explain it to them? Thanks 

[Tim Lindstrom]

I don't have a mandatory cleaning fee for my properties.  I accept it as a cost of doing business.  If a tenant totally trashes the place, then of course they would be charged for the celan-up.  But getting a place ready for the next enant shouldn't be a cost for the previous tenant in my opinion.  Cleaning and resealing grout sounds like maintenance that should not be charged to a tenant anyway.