Re: Can I Clean Tenant's Apartment? - Landlord Forum thread 326110

Re: Can I Clean Tenant's Apartment? by Bill on October 21, 2014 @21:28

I assume that you are holding a deposit that will fund the cleaning, cleaning supplies, repairs and damages. And, I assume you will be adding $20 per hour for your labor. What that said, wait out the lease and do not begin anything until November 1st. The tenant could take you to court over the deposit refund or lack thereof to say she intended to return and do the cleaning herself.

If any of the deposit does remain after all other cost have been deducted you may retain that amount for unpaid rent if your state law allows that. Most do. Be sure to get the Security Deposit Settlement Statement out showing a negative balance. Do it by receipted, certified mail. Most states require this to go out within 30 days. If you have no forwarding address for your tenant, send it to the rental and then retain the letter unopened when it returns.

After November 1, you are under no obligation to communicate with your tenant in any way and it is advisable not to other than sending out the statement.

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Re: Can I Clean Tenant's Apartment? by Bill on October 22, 2014 @09:25	[ Reply ]

If the tenant has not returned the keys by November 1st she owes you another month's rent. Because she broke the lease, she owes you the same month's rent. If you do not have the keys by the first, post a Pay or Quit notice and proceed immediately with an eviction as soon as the P/Q notice expires...usually 3 days. Get the P/Q notice ready now and pick up the eviction forms. You do not need a lawyer. If you allow it, the tenant will drag out the moving process and soak up a month of unpaid rent in the process. In reality, you have no idea when she will move. Once the eviction is started, stop communicating with your tenant and keep it going. When the tenant calls you, simply say your lawyer has advised against any communication. That will rattle enough to stop calling you.