How picky are you for SD? - Landlord Forum thread 361541

How picky are you for SD? by Bette on September 7, 2021 @19:47

My nearly 10 tenant has left. I don't know how picky to be - I'm not talking about chipped paint on baseboard. I was disappointed about - brown spots on the ceiling in the bathroom (I suspect nicotine from smoking?, non-smoking house, the basement where the washer/dryer sat hadn't been swept, cobweb between store and the cabinet & greasy cabinet handles. The garage (which she didn't use, but her son did was filthy. Plus, some sort of blue paper (I think he worked in it during the winter.) And, there are grease stains. on the driveway.

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Re: How picky are you for SD? by Garry on September 7, 2021 @23:01	[ Reply ]

If you have had a tenant for 10 years, that is a very long term tenant, as in NO vacancy for 10 years. Everything you have mentioned, can easily be considered "normal wear and tear" for a T staying 10 years. As you know, you cannot charge a T for "normal wear and tear " Just let it go. Give the T a full refund of her deposit, and THANK her for being such a long term tenant. Now, take a month or two, to clean and fix up the place for the new T. I would suggest you put in all new carpet everywhere, and you should then be able to get a higher rent than what you were getting. Remember, you made extra money, by not having 2-3 vacancies in that same 10 years.

Re: How picky are you for SD? by John on September 8, 2021 @11:29	[ Reply ]

I would have to agree with garry on this one. You had a tenant for 10 years and that's all your issues. Chipped paint is wear and tear. At 10 years the entire house is going to need a full paint job. I've never had a tenant sweep under the washer/dryer and fridge. As for the kitchen knobs I usually hire a professional cleaner and they do generally move/out cleaning. Otherwise take the knobs off and run them thru the dishwasher utensil rack. I'm not sure if you can come after them for grease stains in the driveway. I had a tenant for 3 years and I have a laundry list I'm working thru right now.

Re: How picky are you for SD? by Robert on September 8, 2021 @19:21	[ Reply ]

Yeah, after 10 years it would be hard to charge for much, other than actual broken items. BTW I have a detailed cleaning list that is part of the lease. It specifies everything that should be cleaned on move out. I also have a property check in sheet. When tenant says they are moving I send them the cleaning list again. I usually get pretty good compliance, though I have not had 10 yr tenants. I did have a 3 yr just move out and charged them for broken items and a small amount of cleaning.

Re: How picky are you for SD?

Re: How picky are you for SD? by Jason on September 13, 2021 @23:26	[ Reply ]

If this T were there for 12-months, I would be picky. "Wear and tear" is one thing, and is to be expected. But a 10-year tenant? IMO, I would try to keep them. No vacancy for 10-years is rare in this business. If they are unable to stay, for whatever reason, I would give them back 100% of their SD. Re-carpet, paint, clean. And obviously you can increase the rent on that unit once it has been cleaned, updated, repaired, etc.

Re: How picky are you for SD?