Can a Landlord Tell You how Clean to Keep Your House?
Being a tenant comes with a lot of responsibilities. One of the most important responsibilities is to oblige to the terms of your lease agreement. This includes everything from paying rent on time to taking good care of the property.
Another responsibility tenants have is to keep the rental unit clean and tidy. But what does that mean? Can a landlord tell you how clean to keep your house? And if so, what are the consequences for not following their rules?
This article will discuss everything you need to know about keeping your rental unit clean. We’ll also provide tips on ensuring you’re always in compliance with your lease agreement.
What Does It Mean to Keep a Rental Unit Clean?
The first step in understanding your responsibility as a tenant is to know what it means to keep a rental unit clean. After all, you can’t follow the rules if you don’t know what they are!
Generally, a rental unit should be free of dirt, dust, and debris. All surfaces should be wiped down regularly, and floors should be mopped or vacuumed regularly.
The sink, tub, and toilet should be scrubbed in the bathroom. The mirror should be wiped down, and all trash should be removed. The kitchen should be kept free of food debris, and the counters and stovetop should be wiped down regularly.
Of course, these are just general guidelines. Your landlord may have specific cleanliness rules outlined in your lease agreement. Ensure you review your lease carefully to know what is expected of you.
Can a Landlord Tell You how Clean to Keep Your House?
The answer is yes. Your landlord can tell you how to clean to keep your house. They likely have specific rules and regulations about cleanliness outlined in your lease agreement.
Ask your landlord if you’re unsure about what is expected of you. They should be able to provide you with a copy of the lease agreement or specific guidelines about cleanliness.
Of course, even if your landlord doesn’t explicitly state their expectations, you’re still responsible for keeping the rental unit clean. Remember, it’s your home! It would be best if you took pride in keeping it clean and tidy.
Signs Your House Is so Dirty that Your Landlord Can Tell You to Clean
As stated in the lease agreement, tenants are expected to leave the house in the same condition as when they moved in. This means that if you move into a rental unit that is already clean, you’re responsible for keeping it that way.
Of course, life happens. Things get messy, and sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the cleaning. If this is the case, there are some tell-tale signs that your landlord can use to determine whether or not you’re keeping up with the cleaning.
Clutter and garbage
The first sign is clutter and garbage. If your rental unit is starting to look like a dump, it’s probably time your landlord can tell you to clean. Clutter and debris can include everything from dirty dishes to piles of clothes.
Pet messes
Another sign that your landlord can use to determine whether or not you’re keeping up with the cleaning is pet messes. If you have a pet, it’s your responsibility to ensure that their messes are cleaned regularly. This includes everything from scooping the litter box to walking them regularly.
Bad smells
Bad smells are another sign that your landlord can use to determine whether or not you’re keeping up with the cleaning. If your rental unit starts to smell bad, it’s probably because it’s dirty. Bad smells can include everything from a musty smell to garbage odors.
In this case, your landlord may ask you to clean the unit more frequently or immediately take care of the problem.
Insects and rodents
Unfortunately, insects and rodents are another sign that your landlord can use to determine whether or not you’re keeping up with the cleaning. If your rental unit is infested with bugs or rodents, it’s probably because it’s dirty.
It would be best if you were responsible for cleaning the causes of the infestation, such as food debris or garbage. Sometimes, your landlord may require you to hire a professional exterminator.
However, It is the landlord’s responsibility for pest control if the problem is due to a structural issue, such as a hole in the wall.
Mold and mildew
Property owners can insist on cleanliness to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. If your rental unit has a musty smell or visible mold, it’s probably because it’s dirty.
It would be best if you were responsible for cleaning the causes of mold and mildew, such as damp towels or wet clothing. Sometimes, your landlord may require you to take more drastic measures, such as opening the windows or using a dehumidifier.
Blocked drains and plumbing fixtures
A landlord can request a significant cleanup from a tenant if they cause blockages in drains or sewers. If the flooding caused by the blockage results in damage, the landlord could ask the tenant to pay for repairs. Including language in the lease agreement that says the tenant is responsible for minor maintenance could avoid future issues.
Of course, tenants must notify their landlords about leaking plumbing components. Landlords must also repair them.
Toxic chemicals
Toxic chemicals, such as cleaning supplies and paint, can hazard tenants and landlords. If your rental unit has excessive amounts of these materials, it’s probably because you’re not keeping up with the cleaning.
It would help if you were responsible for disposing of these materials properly.
What Can You Do to Maintain Your Rental Property Clean?
Regularly cleaning your rental unit is the best way to prevent these problems.
- You should sweep, mop, and vacuum your floors regularly.
- You should also dust all surfaces, including furniture, appliances, and shelves.
- You should scrub the bathroom sink, tub, and toilet.
- You should also clean the mirror and wipe down the counters.
- You should wash the dishes, clean the stove, and wipe down the counters in the kitchen.
It would be best if you also took out the trash regularly. Depending on your rental unit, this may mean taking it to the dumpster or putting it in a central location for the landlord to take care of.
Cleaning your rental unit regularly will help you avoid problems with your landlord. It will also make it a more pleasant place to live.
What if I do not clean?
If your house is not kept clean, it might be difficult to live in and unsightly for your neighbors. Keeping the home clean is even more essential if you have a pet since animals can make a mess of things much faster.
A messy and dirty house is more likely to attract bugs and pests. If your rental unit starts to smell bad, it’s probably because it’s dirty. Bad smells can include everything from a musty smell to the smell of rotting food.
If your landlord feels that your rental unit is not being kept clean, they may send you a notice telling you to clean it up. If you do not clean the unit, the landlord may take legal action against you. This could include giving you a warning, evicting you, or taking you to court.
Therefore, it is important to keep your rental unit clean in order to avoid problems with your landlord. It will also make it a more pleasant place to live.
Can Landlord Evict Me for Being Messy?
Yes, in some cases, a landlord can evict a tenant for being messy. However, this is usually only done as a last resort.
If your landlord discovers that your rental unit isn’t being kept clean, they may send you a notice demanding that it be cleaned up. If you don’t clean the property, the landlord has the right to pursue legal action against you. Also, it is reasonable for a landlord to take such measures to protect other tenants’ health and safety from further damage.
However, most landlords will only take such drastic measures if the tenant repeatedly ignores requests to clean up the rental unit. And in many cases, the landlord will give the tenant time to correct the issue before taking legal action.
So, while a landlord can evict a tenant for being messy, it is not likely to happen unless the tenant constantly ignores requests to clean up their rental unit.
FAQs
What Happens if You Leave an Apartment a Mess?
If you leave an apartment a mess, your landlord may charge you for the costs of cleaning it up. Sometimes, your security deposit may not be enough to cover the cost of cleaning, and you will have to pay the difference.
How clean should a rental home or apartment be before you move in?
The rental unit should be clean when you move in. This means the floors should be swept and mopped, the dust should be wiped from all surfaces, and the bathroom should be scrubbed clean.
If the rental unit is not clean when you move in, you should take pictures and contact your landlord. Your landlord may be willing to clean the unit before you move in.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if the lease agreement includes a requirement for cleanliness, your landlord can tell you how filthy your home should be. However, you must keep your rental unit clean to avoid difficulties with your landlord. It will also make it a more enjoyable residence.
