Final Inspection

Final Inspection

Real Estate Professional · Columbus, OH · Member since 2016 · 6 posts · 1 vote
Hello! I've been reading other posts and trying to come up with the best plan. I have a good idea on what needs to happen but thought I would ask for your advice. We just had our first set of tenants move out. They cut their lease short but we agreed they could move out early. We told them we would be down on the 28th to collect keys and such. When we went down to the house they were already gone. We should receive our last payment from them on 6/24 so we didn't know how picky we should be on the final inspection. Obviously we want our final rent payment but at the same time I think they should be charged with anything at the house as well. They left a huge pile of trash at the end of the curb and cancelled their pick up so I've had to try to arrange that all weekend. It should be picked up today but I'm not sure about the price. We don't allow tenants put any holes in the wall since it's an older house with plaster walls. Because of this we provide the tv mounts which was discussed before they moved in. They took the mount from the living room. Took the ice tray from the freezer's ice maker, took the sink stoppers and an ironing board holder from the hallway and cut a screen on one of the Windows. They also put a padlock type thing on one of the bedroom doors, which is screwed into the door frame and door. I know none of these are major expenses but it adds up and they clearly are in the wrong. I also spent an entire day cleaning the house because they spilled something sticky all over the fridge, they left a box that had some sort of grease on the deck which got on the side of the house the door. I've scrubbed that a few times and have managed to get it off everything but the deck boards. How would you handle this? Thanks for your help!!!
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JD MartinBusiness Member
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Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
10y

Anything left with the house should be mentioned in the lease. I would deduct the cost of new sink strainers for sure, and if the ice maker tray is integral to the refrigerator I would deduct that cost as well. If the TV mounts aren't mentioned, that might be a harder sell unless you have pictures, but anything that's actual damage not considered normal wear and tear and not just needing cleaning is fair game. If you don't have a deposit, not good. If you have a deposit, itemize the repair costs and provide it to them as may be required by your local laws. 

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  • JD MartinBusiness Member
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    Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    10y

    Anything left with the house should be mentioned in the lease. I would deduct the cost of new sink strainers for sure, and if the ice maker tray is integral to the refrigerator I would deduct that cost as well. If the TV mounts aren't mentioned, that might be a harder sell unless you have pictures, but anything that's actual damage not considered normal wear and tear and not just needing cleaning is fair game. If you don't have a deposit, not good. If you have a deposit, itemize the repair costs and provide it to them as may be required by your local laws. 

    Skyline Properties
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  • Residential Real Estate Broker · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2016 · 506 posts · 311 votes
    10y

    @JD Martin is correct.  I would itemize everything and bill for it/assess it against the deposit, providing details including the TV mounts and other items taken that were provided at the start of the lease. Especially if you have photo proof of condition at startup. I would also include the final rent charges in the statement if the security deposit accounting is due close to the time the rent payment is due.  You can always revise the final statement if they pay.

    Be pleasantly surprised if they pay.  I'll take a side bet they won't.....

  • Investor · Hyattsville, MD · Member since 2012 · 822 posts · 441 votes
    10y

    Also, a reminder that you get no gold star for cleaning up tenant trash or mess left behind in kitchen. You can only deduct services of a professional cleaner from deposit with proof of invoice, not your own personal scrubbing and elbow grease. There is no reason you should be doing free work for something tenants should have taken care of before vacating. Be sure to keep pictures of the original mess for your records next time. Also next time, hire your cleaner to take care of the cleaning beyond wear/tear next time to be the objective third party doing the work and document their findings. Turnover will be less work for you. You should be adding up the exact replacement costs for all of the items and cleaning services you mentioned and deducting only that amount from the deposit. Then itemize these expenses and share those expenses as well as the remaining deposit back to your tenants before the required timeframe for your state. Unfortunately, you cannot bill for your labor, so next time you'll know better and hire it out.

  • Real Estate Professional · Columbus, OH · Member since 2016 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    10y
    Thanks for clarifying Jeff. I have read a few posts that charge $15/hour for their time cleaning up stuff that should have been done prior to move out. I am not going to charge for my time but def want to be reimbursed for the damaged; even though they are minor.
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