There are many professional cleaning companies but not many who do a thorough, deep cleaning that is needed between tenants in your rental home.
At CPM we have developed cleaning standards that the cleaning companies we use must follow when doing turnover cleanings, those between tenants. This is important because we believe it is critical for new occupants to feel at home and not discover small reminders that someone lived in the house prior to them. That could mean a stray comb in a drawer or lint in the clothes dryer filter.
More important, it starts the rental relationship on a good foot when people can move into a professionally cleaned home. The deep cleaning must get into the nooks and crannies, cracks and corners, cabinets and appliances. It costs a bit more, but the investment in starting the business relationship right is well worth the expense.
Here are 10 things you can consider when ensuring that your cleaners do to best prepare your rental for new tenants:
1. Clean the area between the inside and outside window—the part of the windowsill outside of the inside window sash that gets dirty and sometimes has dead insects.
2. Remove any remaining personal items and throw away unless they are marked to stay in the unit.
3. Use magic erasers and lightly clean scuff marks on walls, floors, trim, and doors.
4. Open the clothes washer and wipe around the top. If a front-loading washer, wipe down the area where tenants will pour in detergent.
5. Dust window blinds, and if needed, use soapy water to wash them by hand.
6. Remove any stickers that are on windows or other areas where it is obvious, they do not belong (like the side of a bathtub or appliance). Be careful not to scratch the object that the sticker is stuck to.
7. Use non-abrasive cleaners like Barkeepers Friend on shiny surfaces, stainless steel sinks, appliances, and faucets to avoid scratching.
Pro Tip: You can also use this on bathroom counters and sinks and leave behind an impressive effect!
8. Wash down all doors and door trim as well as around the doorknobs where previous tenants have left behind fingerprints.
9. Sweep and/or vacuum the threshold area around exterior doors, inside and out.
10. Straighten up in front of the house if there are leaves, trash, or other debris.
To find out more just email us at hello@columbiapm.com or call us on (888) 857-6594.
Scott Bloom, Owner and Senior Property Manager
Columbia Property Management
Scott Bloom founded Columbia Property Management (CPM) in 2012. And today, he is both the owner and senior property manager. CPM’s goal is to provide a powerful, personal level of service to our clients. We focus on smaller landlords, professionally managing their assets, so they can succeed by investing in rental real estate. Scott is an active member in multiple professional organizations including the National Association of Residential Property Managers.
