How to Get Your Tenants to Clean Regularly

Jacob Margle • November 6, 2021

Sometimes the most stressful parts of renting your property out come from things that are left up to interpretation. All tenants have a right to a fit and habitable living environment, and landlords have a right to tenants that don’t “commit waste,” the American Bar Association’s way of saying that tenants are expected to keep a property clean and free of permanent or unreasonable damage. Everyone has a different version of clean, so how do you ensure that your renters will keep your property up to your standards?

Require Cleaning in the Lease

The easiest and clearest way to make sure your tenants keep your property clean according to your standards is to include a cleaning clause in the rental agreement. This could be something as simple as:

“CLEANING. The Tenant(s) shall keep the area in and around the Premises in clean, habitable condition, and in good repair, normal wear and tear excepted.”

You could go as far as to specify what areas need to be kept clean and how to clean them, especially if you rent out an older apartment or house. A good way to incentivize regular cleaning is to state that if the rental isn’t returned in acceptable form, the tenant could be charged a cleaning fee. Here’s a sample clause for such a requirement:

“CLEANING. The Tenant(s) is responsible for cleaning all areas of the Premises, including but not limited to, living room, dining room, kitchen, hallways, laundry room, bedrooms, closets, bathrooms, outdoor walkways, and parking spaces. To prevent the infestation of rodents and insects, Tenant(s) must remove any collected trash and food waste from the Premise at least once a week. Carpets and Rugs must be vacuumed at least once a week. Hardwood floors or Tiles must be swept once a week. Bathrooms must be cleaned regularly, and as frequently as needed, to prevent the formation of mold and mildew. If Tenant(s) does not clean adequately and regularly, Tenant(s) will be liable for reasonable cleaning charges – including charges for cleaning carpets, draperies, furniture, walls, etc. that are soiled beyond normal wear (that is, wear or soiling that occurs without negligence, carelessness, accident, or abuse). Landlord reserves the right to hire a recurring Professional Cleaning/Maid Service if Tenant(s) are not keeping the Premises in clean/sanitary order at Landlord’s own judgment. This expense will be the responsibility of the Tenant(s).”

Remember, check your local laws to make sure these types of requirements are allowed in your lease. What clauses you can and cannot include in your lease regarding cleaning varies by state, so make sure to check your local laws before drafting your own cleaning clause, or use a lease on the Apartments.com suite of Rental Tools.

It’s crucial to have such lease clauses in place from the beginning, although it is possible to amend the lease agreement if the tenants are willing to sign it.

Know the Legal Expectations of Cleanliness

Clean tenants aren’t just a hope of every landlord, most communities require a reasonable level of upkeep and sanitation for a residence. Make sure your tenants know they must comply with local municipal codes by keeping the premises clean and disposing of trash properly.

A good way to ensure consistent cleanliness and a clean rental during move-outs is to conduct a thorough walkthrough. This way, your tenant knows what you expect to the property to look like when it comes time for them to leave, and it could incentivize them to keep the property tidy throughout the whole lease term, not just before they leave.

Regularly Inspect the Premises

One of the most straightforward ways to prevent property mishaps of all types is to regularly inspect the premises. This can be especially difficult if you live in a different part of the state – or a different state altogether. By inspecting your property (at least quarterly), you can keep an eye on any deteriorating units or serious messes. It also lets your tenants know that you have a consistent presence around the property.

Your lease should include a clause regarding your right to entry so that you can check on the property’s upkeep on a regular basis. Usually, you must notify the tenant at least 24 hours before entering the premises at an agreed-upon time.

If tenants know you will tour the residence a few times a year – and point out any lease violations regarding conditions – odds are they will make some effort to keep the place in decent shape. Make sure your clause on visiting the property adheres to state and local laws and doesn’t infringe on your tenant’s right to “quiet enjoyment.”

Document Untidy Tenants

If you get stuck with a messy tenant and you’re able to document the issue, it would be in your best interest to do so. Your first reason for documenting the issue should be to inquire about the mess if they don’t clean it up of their own free will. But if things get out of hand and you find yourself stuck with an uninhabitable rental or a demand letter from the local municipality, you’ll also have evidence to hold the tenants accountable.

If your state and local laws allow you to charge the tenant for professional cleaning services, you’ll have to provide proof to back up the charge. If you can’t charge the tenant for the mess they left behind, pictures and videos will help make your case for withholding the security deposit to clean up the premises.

Your documentation should include the date, and you should provide simple, non-dramatic narration. Just get the point across should have you to take your tenant to small claims court.

 

The solution to finding clean tenants who will keep your property in tip-top shape is to remove anything that could be left to a tenant’s interpretation. Add detailed clauses in the lease for maintaining a clean rental, inform your tenants of the legal requirements, and document any issues that arise. With any luck, you’ll find renters who appreciate your property just as much as you do.


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Considering Buying a Rental Property? Here’s What You Need to Know About Property Managers

By The Lighter Side of Real Estate • July 21, 2025
Considering Buying a Rental Property? Here’s What You Need to Know About Property Managers If you’re considering purchasing a rental property, here’s the good news: they can be a great investment. But they can also be a lot of work, and some homeowners don’t have the skills or desire to put in the work necessary to both take care of their property and ensure it brings in steady income. That’s where property managers come in. A good property manager can bring a ton of value to rental property owners, so if you’re considering buying a rental property, you may also want to consider hiring an experienced, trustworthy property manager. But what, exactly, do property managers do—and how does that help the property owner? A recent article from realtor.com outlines some of their main responsibilities, and the value they can deliver to property owners, including: Market your property. Finding new renters can be a hassle. Property managers leverage a variety of channels (including social media, paid ads, and the MLS) to get your property in front of qualified potential tenants. Vet potential tenants. Once they’ve marketed your property and generated interest, property managers will vet all potential tenants (including running a credit check, checking for past criminal history, verifying employment and income, and calling former landlords for references) to ensure you rent your property to qualified, responsible tenants. Perform property checks. If you live in a different area than your rental property, it can be hard to stay on top of the home’s maintenance and condition. Most property managers do regular home checks (typically, once per quarter or twice per year) to ensure the tenants are taking good care of the property—and will report back if any major repairs or maintenance tasks are necessary to keep the property in good condition.

The Five-Year Rule for Home Price Perspective

By KCM • June 25, 2025
The Five-Year Rule for Home Price Perspective Headlines are saying home prices are starting to dip in some markets. And if you’re beginning to second guess your plans based on what you’re hearing in the media, here’s what you need to know. It's true that a few metros are seeing slight price drops. But don't let that overshadow this simple truth. Home values almost always go up over time (see graph below): While everyone remembers what happened around the housing crash of 2008, that was the exception – not the rule. It hadn’t happened before, and hasn’t since. There were many market dynamics that were drastically different back then, too. From relaxed lending standards to a lack of homeowner equity, and even a large oversupply of homes, it was very different from where the national housing market is today. So, every headline about prices slowing down, normalizing, or even dipping doesn’t need to trigger fear that another big crash is coming. Here’s something that explains why short-term dips usually aren’t a long-term deal-breaker. What’s the Five-Year Rule? In real estate, you might hear talk about the five-year rule. The idea is that if you plan to own your home for at least five years, short-term dips in prices usually don’t hurt you much. That’s because home values almost always go up in the long run. Even if prices drop a bit for a year or two, they tend to bounce back (and then some) over time. Take it from Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub: “. . . there’s the ‘five-year rule of thumb’ in real estate—which suggests that most buyers can buffer themselves from mild short-term declines if they plan to own a property for at least that amount of time.” What’s Happening in Today’s Market? Here’s something else to put your mind at ease. Right now, most housing markets are still seeing home prices rise – just not as fast as they were a few years ago. But in the major metros where prices are starting to cool off a little (the red bars in the graph below), the average drop is only about -2.9% since April 2024. That’s not a major decline like we saw back in 2008. And when you look at the graph below, it’s clear that prices in most of those markets are up significantly compared to where they were five years ago (the blue bars). So, those homeowners are still ahead if they’ve been in their house for a few years or more (see graph below): The Big Picture Over the past 5 years, home prices have risen a staggering 55% , according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). So, a small short-term dip isn’t a significant loss. Even if your city is one where they’re down 2% or so, you’re still up far more than that. And if you break those 5-year gains down even further, using data from the FHFA, you’ll see home values are up in every single state over the last five years (see map below): That’s why it’s important not to stress too much about what’s happening this month, or even this year. If you’re in it for the long haul (and most homeowners are) your home is likely to grow in value over time. Bottom Line Yes, prices can shift in the short term. But history shows that home values almost always go up – especially if you live there for at least five years. So, whether you’re thinking of buying or selling, remember the five-year rule, and take comfort in the long view. When you think about where you want to be in five years, how does owning a home fit into that picture? Let’s connect to get you there.

Newly Built Homes May Be Less Expensive Than You Think

By KCM • June 25, 2025
Newly Built Homes May Be Less Expensive Than You Think Do you think a brand-new home means a bigger price tag? Think again. Right now, something unique is happening in the housing market. According to the Census and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median price of newly built homes is actually lower than the median price for existing homes (ones that have already been lived in): You read that right. That brand new, never-been-lived-in house may cost less than the one built 20 years ago in a neighborhood just down the street. So, if you wrote off a new build because you assumed they’d be financially out of reach, here’s what you should know. You could be missing out on some of the best options in today’s housing market. Why Are Newly Built Homes Less Expensive Right Now? 1. Builders Are Building Smaller Homes Builders know that buyers are struggling with affordability today. So, instead of building big houses that may not sell, they’re building smaller ones that will. According to the Census, the average size of a newly built single-family home has dropped considerably over the past few years (see graph below): And as size goes down, the price often does too. Smaller homes use fewer materials, which makes them less expensive to build. That helps builders keep prices lower so more people can afford them. 2. Builders Are Offering Price Cuts and Incentives In May, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 34% of builders lowered their prices, with an average price drop of 5% . That’s because they want to be sure they’re selling the inventory they have before they build more. On top of that, 61% of builders also offered sales incentives – like helping with closing costs or buying down your mortgage rate. These are all ways builders are making their homes more affordable, so these homes sell in today’s market. Your Next Step? Ask Your Agent What's Available Near You If you're trying to buy a home right now, be sure to talk to your agent to find out what builders are doing in and around your area. They can find new home communities, as well as builders who are offering incentives or discounts, and hidden gems you might not uncover on your own. Plus, buying a newly built home often means there are different steps in the process than if you purchase a home that’s been lived in before. That’s why it’s so important to have your own agent who can explain the fine print. You want a pro in your corner to advocate for you, negotiate on your behalf, and make sure your best interests come first. Bottom Line You could get a home that’s brand new, with modern features, at a price that’s even lower than some older homes. Let’s talk about what you’re looking for and see if a newly built home is the right fit for you. If buying a home is on your to-do list, what would stop you from exploring newly built options?
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