Can I deduct cleaning expense from tenant's security deposit

Question

My tenants moved out but didn't clean the house thoroughly, especially the kitchen, closets, door, light switches. The house was very clean when they move in and much more dirty when they move out. I asked them to clean before they move out but they left it dirty and said it looks clean. I have to hire professional cleaner to clean the whole house and wonder if I can deduct this expense from their security deposit? 
Thanks for all your inputs.

Account Closed · Answer

I have my places cleaned after move out by my cleaning person and always deduct it from the security deposit. It has never been a problem. Be sure to take pics before and after the cleaning.

Roy N. · Answer

Jenny Nguyen

It's hard to hold the former Tenants accountable if the keys have been given to new tenants.  It sounds like you will have to absorb the cost of fixing/replacing the door at this point.

The key is to make certain parting tenants do not re-enter the unit following the final inspection.

If you are doing the final walkthrough and things are not right - the tenants want a little more time to clean - reschedule the walk through at a later time.

George Paiva · Answer

Here in CT, if it got to the courts all tenants have to do is leave the unit in broom swept condition no matter what you stipulated in any lease or contract.  Which is no where close to being as clean when they first move in.  I basically eat the cleaning cost as I want my units to sparkle at showing and with a fresh coat of paint as well.  This has enabled me to get "better" tenants but your experience may vary.

Scott W. · Answer

again, take before & after pics. they won't take you to court if they're in the wrong and even if they did, they would lose.

contrarty to poplular belief, you don't have to hire an attorney for everything. one time, i represented myself in getting child support. it was super easy. i certainly wouldn't hire an attorney for this either, unless you didn't want to take a day off of work.

my bet is they will complain (they always do) but then just give in.

Stephanie Dupuis · Answer

In the future, consider a cleaning fee in addition ot the deposit. I always pay for a pro to clean the place afterwards (compliments of the prior tenant - they paid a cleaning fee to pay the cleaning service). A pro cleaner is faster (quick turn around) and does a better job. The unit looks sparkly for showing.

Kenneth Estes · Answer

Jenny, in general the answer to your question is yes.

That said you need to check a few things:
- Did you have the tenants sign a document detailing the status of the property when they first moved in?
- Do you have any photos of the property when they moved in?
- Does your lease contain language stipulating the tenant is on the hook for cleaning expenses?

Even if the answer to some of those questions are no, you can still deduct the expense from the deposit.  However, if the tenant pushes back your case won't be as strong.

Jenny Nguyen · Answer

Roy,
We let the tenants back into the property to clean the house. And since we still have one issue with  them, i allowed them to go inside the house with me after they gave me the keys. I gave the new tenants keys and when i walked through with the new tenants, i found out the crack. Do the old tenans hold responsible for the crack after the final walk though and after the new tenants got the keys.

Roy N. · Answer

Jenny,

Was the tenant allowed back into the property following the exit inspection/walkthrough?   We usually try to conduct the exit inspection early on their final day in the property.  We walk through the property with the Tenant, identify what is deficient.  If they choose to correct it themselves (i.e. cleaning), the exit inspection is rescheduled to the end of the day.

Once we complete the exit inspection, keys are collected and the Tenant no longer has {legal} access to the property.

Jenny Nguyen · Answer

Steve, 
That door is inside the house so there is no way it is caused by a break in. By the way, when we talked about it with our old tenants, he said it is result of settlement.

Steve Babiak · Answer

You did not see it 2 days ago because it probably happened AFTER they moved out, and after you did your walk-through.  Once the neighborhood bad guys notice a move-out, the vacant property becomes a target for their break-in attempts - whether to steal copper, or to have a party location, or whatever they feel like.

You might just have to absorb the cost of repairing this.

Can I deduct cleaning expense from tenant's security deposit

Most Popular Reply