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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2026 Housing Market Outlook

By KCM • October 26, 2025
2026 Housing Market Outlook After a couple of years where the housing market felt stuck in neutral, 2026 may be the year things shift back into gear. Expert forecasts show more people are expected to move – and that could open the door for you to do the same. More Homes Will Sell With all of the affordability challenges at play over the past few years, many would-be movers pressed pause. But that pause button isn’t going to last forever. There are always people who need to move. And experts think more of them will start to act in 2026 (see graph below): What’s behind the change? Two key factors: mortgage rates and home prices. Let’s dive into the latest expert forecasts for both, so you can see why more people are expected to move next year. Mortgage Rates Could Continue To Ease The #1 thing just about every buyer has been looking for is lower mortgage rates . And after peaking near 7% earlier this year, rates have started to ease. The latest forecasts show that could continue throughout 2026, but it won’t be a straight line down (see graph below): There’s a saying: when rates go up, they take the escalator. But when they come down, they take the stairs. And that’s an important thing to remember. It’ll be a slow and bumpy process. Expect modest improvement in mortgage rates over the next year but be ready for some volatility. There will be volatility along the way as new economic data comes out. Just don't let it distract you from the bigger picture: the overall trend will be a slight decline. Forecasts say we could hit the low 6s, or maybe even the high 5s. And remember, there doesn't have to be a big drop for you to feel a change. Even a smaller dip helps your bottom line. If you compare where rates are now to when they were at 7% earlier this year, you’re already saving hundreds on your future mortgage payment. And that’s a really good thing. It’s enough to make a real difference in affordability for some buyers. Home Price Growth Will Be Moderate What about prices? On a national scale, forecasts say they’re still going to rise, just not by a lot. With rates down from their peak earlier this year, more buyers will re-enter the market. And that increased demand will keep some upward pressure on prices nationally – and prevent prices from tumbling down. So, even though some markets are already seeing slight price declines, you can rest easy that a big crash just isn’t in the cards. Thanks to how much prices rose over the last 5 years, even the markets seeing declines right now are still up compared to just a few years ago. Of course, price trends will depend on where you are and what’s happening in your local market. Inventory is a big driver in why some places are going to see varying levels of appreciation going forward. But experts agree we’ll see prices grow at the national level (see graph below): This is yet another good sign for buyers and overall affordability. While prices will still go up nationally, it’ll be at a much more sustainable pace. And that predictability makes it easier to plan your budget. It also gives you peace of mind that prices won’t suddenly skyrocket overnight. Bottom Line After a quieter couple of years, 2026 is expected to bring more movement – and more opportunity. With sales projected to rise, mortgage rates trending lower, and price growth slowing down, the stage is set for a healthier, more active market. So, the big question: will you be one of the movers making 2026 your year? Let’s connect if you want to get ready.

Why Home Prices Aren’t Actually Flat

By KCM • October 25, 2025
Why Home Prices Aren’t Actually Flat If you’ve been following real estate news lately, you’ve probably seen headlines saying home prices are flat. And at first glance, that sounds simple enough. But here’s the thing. The reality isn’t quite that straightforward. In most places, prices aren’t flat at all. What the Data Really Shows While we’ve definitely seen prices moderate from the rapid and unsustainable climb in 2020-2022, how much they've changed is going to be different everywhere. If you look at data from ResiClub and Zillow for the 50 largest metros, this becomes very clear. The real story is split right down the middle. Half of the metros are still seeing prices inch higher. The other half? Prices are coming down slightly (see graph below). The big takeaway here is “flat” doesn’t mean prices are holding steady everywhere. What the numbers actually show is how much price trends are going to vary depending on where you are. One factor that’s driving the divide? Inventory. The Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) of Harvard University explains : “ . . . price trends are beginning to diverge in markets across the country. Prices are declining in a growing number of markets where inventories have soared while they continue to climb in markets where for-sale inventories remain tight .” When you average those very different trends together, you get a number that looks like it’s flat. But it doesn’t give you the real story and it’s not what most markets are feeling today. You deserve more than that. And just in case you're really focusing on the declines, remember those are primarily places where prices rose too much, too fast just a few years ago. Prices went up roughly 50% nationally over the past 5 years, and even more than that in some of the markets that are experiencing a bigger correction today. So, a modest drop in some local pockets still puts most of those homeowners ahead when it comes to the overall value of their home. And based on the fundamentals of today’s housing market, experts are not projecting a national decline going forward. So, what's actually important for you to know? If You’re Buying... You need to know what's happening in your area because that’s going to influence everything from how quickly you need to make an offer to how much negotiating power you’ll have once you do. In a market where prices are still inching up , waiting around could mean paying more down the line. In a market where they’re easing , you may be able to ask for things like repairs or closing cost help to sweeten the deal. The bottom line? Knowing your local trend puts you in the driver’s seat. If You’re Selling... You’ll want to be aware of local trends, so you’ll know how to price your house and how much you can expect to negotiate. In a market where prices are still rising , you may not need to make many compromises to get your home sold. But if you’re in a market where prices are coming down , setting the right price from the start and being willing to negotiate becomes much more important. The big action item for homeowners? Sellers need to have an agent’s local perspective if they want to avoid making the wrong call on pricing – and homes that are priced right are definitely selling. The Real Story Is Local The national averages can point to broad trends, and that's helpful context. But sometimes you’re going to need a local point of view because what’s happening in your zip code could look different. As Anthony Smith, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, article puts it: “While national prices continued to climb, local market conditions have become increasingly fragmented… This regional divide is expected to continue influencing price dynamics and sales activity as the fall season gets underway. ” That’s why the smartest move, whether you’re buying or selling, is to lean on a local agent who’s an expert on your market. They’ll have the data and the experience to tell you whether prices in your area are holding steady, moving up, or softening a bit – and how that could impact your move. Bottom Line Headlines calling home prices flat may be grabbing attention, but they’re not giving you the full picture. Has anyone taken the time to walk you through what we’re seeing right here, right now? If you want the real story about what prices are doing in our market, let’s connect.

What Buyers Say They Need Most (And How the Market’s Responding)

By KCM • October 24, 2025
What Buyers Say They Need Most (And How the Market’s Responding) A recent survey from Bank of America asked would-be homebuyers what would help them feel better about making a move, and it’s no surprise the answers have a clear theme. They want affordability to improve, specifically prices and rates (see below): Here’s the good news. While the broader economy may still feel uncertain, there are signs the housing market is showing some changes in both of those areas. Let’s break it down so you know what you’re working with. Prices Are Moderating Over the past few years, home prices climbed fast, sometimes so fast it left many buyers feeling shut out. But today, that pace has slowed down. For comparison, from 2020 to 2021, prices rose by 20% in a 12-month period. Now? Nationally, experts are projecting single-digit increases this year – a much more normal pace. That's a sharp contrast to the rapid growth we saw just a few short years ago. Just remember, price trends are going to vary by area. In some markets, prices will continue to rise while others will experience slight declines . Prices aren’t crashing, but they are moderating. For buyers, the slowdown makes buying a home a bit less intimidating. It’s easier to plan your budget when home values are moving at a much slower pace. Mortgage Rates Are Easing At the same time, rates have come down from their recent highs. And that’s taken some pressure off would-be homebuyers. As Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, says: “Slower price growth coupled with a slight drop in mortgage rates will improve affordability and create a window for some buyers to get into the market. ” Even a small drop in mortgage rates can mean a big difference in what you pay each month in your future mortgage payment. Just remember, while rates have come down a bit lately, they’re going to experience some volatility. So don’t get too caught up in the ups and downs. The overall trend in the year ahead is that rates are expected to stay in the low to mid-6s – which is a lot better than where they were just a few short months ago. They may even drop further, depending on where the economy goes from here. Why This Matters Confidence in the economy may be low, but the housing market is showing signs of adjustment. Prices are moderating, and rates have come down from their highs. For you, that may not solve affordability challenges altogether, but it does mean conditions look a little different than they did earlier this year. And those shifts could help you re-engage as we move into next year. Bottom Line Both of the top concerns for buyers are seeing some movement. Prices are moderating. Rates are easing. And both trends could stick around going into 2026. If you’re considering a move, let’s connect walk you through what’s happening in our area – and what it means for your plans.
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