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Re: Can I Charge a Cleaning Fee? - Landlord Forum thread 206741

Re: Can I Charge a Cleaning Fee? by ERIC on August 18, 2010 @14:54

                              
I always charge for cleaning, if they do not make an effort. Cleaning labor, $40 per hour. Try and get a professional company, like ServiceMaster, for less; You can't do it.

In some States I have heard you cannot charge for your own labor. I am not sure how that works, but I would form and hire a separate LLC to do the cleaning, if that is the case.

Definitely charge for the window. Unless it was a gun shot or rock, it didn't break itself.

Make sure you send the accounting of the deposit back soon, as you only have a limited time to respond. If you take too long, they may get three times their deposit back.

Also, while it is tempting to get mad, just clean the unit and get it re-rented. Keep the deposit, and let it be a lesson learned. File a Court case if it makes you feel better, but that is probably throwing good money after bad.

Take off your ‘Owner’ hat, and put on your ‘Property Manager’ hat. Hire a cleaner (yourself?), and get the job done. The owner gets mad as they lose money, the property manager and cleaner just do their jobs. It’s not easy, but it’s what you have to do to stay sane.

Remember, you are not the first person to get ‘taken’ by a tenant.

I have this in my lease, which they initial. If they don’t like my charges, they can do it themselves. When Midas charges you $300 for a muffler, and you sign on the agreement, you can’t go back and say it was too much when the work is complete.

40. MINIMUM CHARGES FOR REPAIRS _______________ (Initials)
There will be a minimum charge for damages that are not repaired by RESIDENT before last day of lease. Actual charges may exceed these minimum charges. Broken Windows $75 ea; Range cleaning $200 ea.; Refrigerator cleaning $100 ea.; Burned out bulbs $5 ea; Torn Shades $10 ea; General apt. Cleaning $550; Clogged toilets, $100; Carpet cleaning, $150; Missing keys, $5 ea; Broken mini-blinds $25; Nuisance calls, $50; Maintenance/repair labor $65.00 per hour; Cleaning labor, $40.00 per hr. On-site Storage, $200 per month. Lease termination fee, 2 months’ rent.

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Re: Can I Charge a Cleaning Fee? by Jan (MD) on August 18, 2010 @15:43 [ Reply ]
So you say to keep the deposit and let it be a lesson learned. But before that, you said that I can't do it and some states may not allow you to charge for your own labor. So, I'm still a little confused as to whether I can keep part of the deposit because of all the cleaning I did or not.

I have ready alot of this site over the last couple of weeks and am definitely doing things much better the next time.

    Re: Can I Charge a Cleaning Fee? by ERIC on August 18, 2010 @16:14 [ Reply ]
    You CAN keep the deposit, but you MUST provide an accounting of the deductions. Any amounts left over MUST be refunded.

    You shouold check with your own State laws. This forum is designed for landlord advice, not legal advice.

    A Landlord That Acts As His Own Attorney Has A Fool For A Client


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