5 Tenants. 1 Lease. Only 2 Clean for Move Out

[Morgan Porter]

I have a single family house that I rent to students. It’s always one group lease. I never rent by the room. I just had 5 girls in the house for 1 year and the lease was up. I was contacted by 2 of the 5 claiming the other 3 took off and left the house a mess. I told them I don’t get involved in that, they need to talk to their “friends” and that I’d see them at the move out inspection.

I sent a text message to all 5 that everyone is expected to clean the house and to refer to the move in/out guidelines. They all received the guidelines when they moved in and I sent them again a month before the move-out date. They know what is required.

I arrived at the move out inspection expecting a mess but the 2 girls were there to meet me with a clean house. A few minor things needed to be addressed but otherwise there will not be many deductions from the deposit.

They even split the deposit so I should return the refund evenly but I feel bad that 2 of the 5 cleaned the house in detail for 2 solid days. I have photos from the 2 clean roommates of how nasty things were when they started cleaning.

I have one message from one of the 3 “dirty” roommates but the other 2 never replied. They didn’t bother to show up for the move out inspection and didn’t even bother to turn in their keys.

I know I should stay out of it and distribute their refund evenly but I feel like I have the evidence I need to charge a “cleaning fee” and pay that out to the 2 clean roommates and give the smaller remaining amount to the other 3.

Thoughts?

[Account Closed]

I’d stay out of it.  How 3 of them screwed over the 2.  But you only know it from one side. Who knows, but more importantly who cares. 

It doesn’t help you at all to possibly break the law. If you feel charitable you can give the two girls 25 dollar gift cards.  But that’s your choice.