Hiring an End of Tenancy Cleaning Company
Moving is stressful and time consuming. You have a million and one things on your mind. Plus, you are busy with your new place and your old apartment. It would be great if you could just collect your stuff together, move out and focus on your new digs.
There is the dreaded task of end of tenancy cleaning though. If you are renting, your home must be put into ship shape condition. It has to be cleaned from top to bottom and must past the landlord’s inspection. You have enough things on your mind as it is; you don’t want to add legal troubles with your landlord to your to-do list.
End of tenancy cleaning takes a lot of time that you don’t have. There is a way to get around end of tenancy cleaning, and that is by hiring cleaners. Read below to learn how you can find the right end of tenancy cleaners.
Home Assessment
Before calling anyone for quotes, do a little walkabout in your house. Examine the state of affairs and see if there are any potential trouble spots that will need more than just a cleaning. Take a peek behind the fridge and stove to see what is lurking behind these appliances.
Formulate a list of all of the problem areas, calculate the square footage of the rooms that need to be cleaned and try to understand the cleaning expectations of your landlord. Your rental agreement may have some specifics about end of tenancy cleaning.
Research
Now that you have a good understanding of what needs to be done, start calling around. Choose five companies and call them for quotes. Try to narrow down your list.
Moving Schedule
It is always best to set up a moving schedule that leaves you with a couple of days to play with. Plan on moving out a couple days before your lease runs out so you can have time for a cleaning crew to come in. Once your place has been emptied out, the cleaners can do a thorough clean without the risk of missing a spot because your stuff is in the way.
If scheduling does not work out in a way that you can leave some days at the end of the lease for cleaning (or because you are moving out of town), you will have to go with plan B. Pack up your belongings and place them in the center of the room. Empty your fridge and freezer especially, as these will be must-clean appliances. Inform the cleaning company that your belongings are still in the house. Let them know you have moved them to central areas that won’t interfere. Double check to make sure the company understands what your expectations are.
Cleaner Inquiries
Discuss with the cleaning company exactly what needs to be done, the total square footage, and any areas that will need some extra elbow grease. Find out how many cleaners will be coming, how long the job will take, and the time of day the cleaners will be arriving at your house. Find out if there is an additional fee for extra cleaners to come.
Ask the cleaning company if they will charge a flat rate or a per hour charge. Expect per hour charges, as that seems to be the norm in the cleaning company industry.
If you are concerned about chemicals because you have small children and pets, ask the cleaning company what type of cleaning agents they will be using. Certain cleaning companies will use green products that are safe, but others will use harsher chemicals that will get the job done more efficiently.
Tour
When the cleaning day arrives and the cleaners are at your door, show them in and show them around. Give them a tour and point out any particular areas that will need some extra attention.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to give the cleaners a list of areas you want cleaned and specific areas that will be scrutinized by the landlord.
After you have given them the tour and instructions, it would be a good idea to leave and let them do their thing. You will only get in the way, and the cleaners will not like the feeling of being under a microscope.
Inspection
When the place is finally cleaned, you should thoroughly inspect your home before you make the payment. If there is a glaring problem, call the company and sort out the problem.
If you are happy with the job that they did, make the final payment and tip the cleaners. The general guideline is between 15%-20% of the bill. Cleaning take a lot of hard work and the cleaners deserve a gratuity.
Stress-Free
End of tenancy cleaning can be stressful. If you don’t have enough time, you could find yourself in a spot of trouble if the landlord finds fault with the condition of your place. Avoid potential legal troubles, stress, and hassle; hire end of tenancy cleaners.
Greg works for a local law firm. The Clearwater attorney has helped a lot of landlords who have had issues with their tenants’ cleaning procedures.
