5 Reasons Why You Need a Landlord Clean Between Tenants

A landlord has many responsibilities when tenanting a property, some of which are legal duties and some of which are advisable actions based on keeping tenants happy and making sure the property is in a condition that a prospective tenant would want to live in. The transition period between tenants can therefore be a rare opportunity for the landlord to carry out a number of jobs, one of which is a deep clean of the property.

There are a number of reasons why a landlord clean between tenants is vitally important, and we have highlighted the biggest factors here:

1. Health and safety

A deep clean of the property can highlight issues that may not have been noticeable when it was occupied by tenants. It is possible that the landlord did not visit the property at all, or at least did not fully inspect it during the tenancy. Also, contents belonging to the tenants can sometimes mask issues that are developing. So a landlord clean between tenants can ensure the property is hygienic and safe and can also identify potential issues with damp, mould or condensation and uncover areas of grease build-up or other substances that may become a hazard.

2. Contractual obligations

One of the landlord’s key responsibilities is to provide a clean, safe and healthy property, but at the beginning of a new tenancy this needs to eradicate any issues caused by previous tenants. A new tenant is not liable for problems caused before they moved in, nor should they be expected to live with the problems someone else created. So you need to effectively press reset and ensure that a new tenant is starting with a clean slate, otherwise it is difficult for the landlord to prove liability. Also, a new tenant can refuse to move in to a property or pay rent if the house is not clean when they move in. If you feel you have grounds to evict a tenant, it is always easier if you have fulfilled all your legal obligations, and that includes providing a clean property from the outset.

3. Maintenance

Maintenance is another key area of responsibility for a landlord, particularly with Energy Performance Certificate requirements. A landlord clean between tenants may highlight some maintenance issues that need addressing. This can include cracked wall plaster, loose floorboards or skirting boards, loose floor tiles, damaged wiring or supply connections, for example for a cooker or washing machine. It may also highlight the need for new carpets or other forms of flooring.
 

4. Standards

If you carry out a landlord clean between tenants then the new tenant will arrive to a sparkling clean property and will immediately know the standard at which you like it to be kept. Hopefully this will instil some discipline in the tenant. You can’t always do your research thoroughly enough to find out how lazy or conscientious a tenant is likely to be, so starting off with a property displaying the standards you expect is sometimes as much as you can do.

5. Marketability

The simple fact is, if the property is clean and in good condition, it will appear much more desirable for prospective tenants. The transition between tenants does not necessarily run smoothly, so it is possible that you don’t have a new tenant lined up when the last one moves out. This enables you to carry out a landlord clean between tenants to ensure the property looks its best for imminent viewings. 

Find out more about our end of tenancy cleaning services.