How to Clean Your Rental Property Between Tenants
The transition between tenants is always a challenge for landlords. Between the paperwork and ensuring that everything is in order to avoid any issues with the previous and the new lease, it can be a very stressful time. Besides, you want the vacancy tie between tenants to be as short as possible to avoid losing rental income. Tenant turnover varies depending on the unit’s condition and rental market but can take anywhere between 24 hours to over ten days.
Cleaning your rental property from top to bottom may be the last thing on your list. Nevertheless, although time-consuming, ensuring that the unit is as neat as possible is a worthwhile investment to prevent disputes down the road. It is the perfect occasion to take an in-depth look at the state of your property after your exiting tenants have left it.
It also shows the incoming renters that you care about and value your property and expect them to do the same. Not only does cleaning your rental property allow it to shine – attracting higher quality tenants and reducing vacancy – but it is also an easy way to establish a good relationship with the future occupant from the get-go.
As the property owner or manager, you may be wondering: "is the landlord or the tenant responsible for cleaning a rental property?” It is a legitimate question: after all, if you spend the time and energy presenting new tenants a unit in good shape, you expect it to retrieve it in the same condition – minus the normal wear and tear due to living in.
The security deposit you collect should cover excessive cleaning (to remediate pet stains or cigarette burns on the carpet, for example). Still, the tenant is not responsible for deep cleaning beyond “broom clean” unless specified in the leasing agreement. The line between the two can be hazy, and many tenants will do their best to ensure the total return of their security deposit. However, this best-case scenario may not reflect reality. If you must retain part of the security deposit for excess cleaning, you will need to provide the tenants with an itemized list detailing the damages and expenses according to the Massachusetts security deposit laws.
Nevertheless, the entering tenants are not responsible for the sins of the past: it is up to the landlord to provide a sanitary – and, yes, sparkling clean – property. So here are all our tips for cleaning your rental property properly between tenants.
Landlord’s Checklist for Cleaning a Rental Property
Kitchen Cleaning
Appliances: Make sure to scrub the appliances (fridge, stove, microwave, etc.) both inside and out since burnt food particles can quickly accumulate in dark corners. It is also an excellent time to check that everything is in working order. Stubborn grease stains can be removed with a paste of vinegar and baking soda and wiped clean with a damp sponge.
Counters: After wiping down the countertops, use a handheld vacuum to go through the creases and corners and remove stray crumbs.
Kitchen sink: Run the water to the hottest setting before pouring ½ cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by ½ cup of white vinegar to clear down the drain. Let sit for approximately five minutes before rerunning the hot water. If you have a garbage disposal, grind about a dozen ice cubes to sharpen the blades and eliminate any grease stuck down the drain.
Cabinetry: Kitchen cabinets can take a beating, so make sure to wipe them thoroughly. You may notice that it is time to replace some of the door handles. Do not forget to check the cabinets to ensure that the previous tenants did not leave any surprises behind, and thoroughly vacuum and clean the inside of the cabinets, drawers, and shelving.
Bathroom Cleaning
Check for mold: Mold proliferates in a damp bathroom setting, so double-check every corner. Use bleach to get rid of it, especially in the nook and crannies around the shower or bathtub. Turn on the fan or open the window to avoid breathing the fumes. You may need to wait before using any other products to prevent mishaps.
Bathtub or shower: Soap scum can be difficult to get rid of, but it is no match for a combination of vinegar and dish soap of a soft-bristle scrub brush. If the bathtub surround has seen better days, it may be time to scrap it off entirely and replace it with white silicone.
Toilets: It is nobody’s favorite task, but dirty toilets can be off-putting for new tenants. Do not be stringent with the toilet bowl cleaner and let it sit to remove stubborn messes. You can also replace the toilet seat if they show signs of wear.
Cabinets and drawers: Scrub the bathroom cabinets and drawers inside and out ad check to make sure the previous tenants did not forget anything. Double-check for old and new signs of leakages, especially under the sink.
Countertops: While cleaning the countertops, make sure no rust rings are left behind. Depending on the material, you may be able to remove them using a thick paste of baking soda and water.
Mirror and shower door: Use glass cleaner and a soft cloth to make mirrors and glass surfaces shine.
Bedrooms, Living Room, and Dining Room Cleaning
Check closets: Check that the closet doors are functioning smoothly and wipe them down. Double-check that previous tenants left nothing behind, especially in hard-to-reach areas that can easily get overlooked.
Ceiling fans: Dust off the ceiling fan blades and check that they are working correctly.
Cleaning Every Room
Walls: Even when occupied by cautious tenants, walls often show signs of wear and can look dingy. Check for holes, furniture marks, scratches, and so on. You can try scrubbing and buffing them off. A clean sponge and dish soap can salvage areas that see less use. However, more often than not, it is easier to paint everything over, especially in high-traffic areas simply. Choose a light, neutral tone and keep a reference to quickly touch up as needed.
Floors: Some floorings are higher maintenance than others. Hardwood floors are easy to maintain but scratch easily. You can often revive them with a good polish, but they will need to get refinished periodically in high-traffic areas. Carpets will most likely need to be professionally cleaned between tenants since they tend to retain smells and show furniture marks easily. If you need to redo the floorings, opt for low-maintenance, durable surfaces like vinyl or laminate. Do not forget to move around furniture and appliances to remove any hidden messes as you clean. It can also help you detect leaks before it is too late, especially around hot water heaters and washing machines.
Burnout light bulbs: As you are cleaning your rental property, check all the lights in the house and change any burnout light bulbs.
Baseboards, ledges, windowsills, moldings, etc.: Decorative elements are often forgotten, especially in hard-to-reach locations, but show grime and dust easily. After dusting (use an old toothbrush if necessary), scrub the surfaces with a dryer sheet to avoid dust accumulating in the future. Start from the top of the room (crown molding, etc.) and work your way down to the bottom to avoid ruining your hard work.
Light switches and outlet covers: Sanitize these high-touch, but often neglected, areas with wipes.
Windows, doors: Wipe the doors down with a Magic Eraser and check that the doorknobs are tight and functioning properly. Wash the windows thoroughly with glass cleaner and clean microfiber cloths.
What else should I do while cleaning my rental property?
While you are going through all the nook and crannies to ensure that your rental unit is sparkling clean for the next tenants, do not forget these small tasks that can help towards a smooth transition and start the next lease on the right foot:
Change the locks: the previous tenants should give you back their keys (you can deduct this item from the security deposit if needed.) However, mistakes happen, and it is always best to be safe rather than sorry. New locks will keep both your new tenants' and your mind at rest.
Replace air filters and furnace filters: Dirty air filters will decrease your utility systems' lifespan, and it will only take you a couple of minutes to change them while you are cleaning your rental property. You will also want to check that everything is in order with the furnace and have it serviced if necessary.
Check that the fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working correctly: Malfunctioning fire alarms and detectors can be a big liability for the landlord. Check the batteries and verify the expiration date in all the units. If necessary, upgrade them to hardwired units.
Take pictures for future reference: there is no better time to take photos of your rental unit than when everything is freshly cleaned and free of your tenants' belongings. You can also send them to the incoming tenants to make sure you are on the same page or do a walk-through video. Make sure to include the date by taking a picture of the newspaper of the day, for example.
Keep your handyman on standby in case you discover any issues the exiting tenant may have neglected to mention or were not aware of.
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