As property managers know well, each passing day that a vacant property sits idle means lost income. Once a tenant vacates the premises, the countdown begins: With a Deep Clean, you can turn the space into a habitable dwelling and find a new qualified tenant ready to sign a lease as quickly as possible.
A thorough move-out cleaning provides a measurable ROI through:
- Protection of valuable real estate
- Shortened vacancy time
- Better quality, longer-term tenants.
1. Reducing Days on Market (Vacancy Costs)
Property managers will also note that the most important financial indicator for measuring performance is the daily cost of vacancy. Assuming that an average monthly rent is $2400 per month, then the cost of vacancy per day is $80.
Daily Vacancy Cost = Monthly Rent ÷ Number of Days per Month
For example: $2,400 ÷ 30 = $80 per day lost
If a property manager spends a week addressing re-work due to a poor cleaning job, that means $560 in losses – and likely considerably more than it would cost to use professionals to begin with.
Professional cleaning services specifically designed for working within the needs of property managers will have established efficient, consistent processes for completing move-out cleans quickly. These services understand that the best time to start cleaning a unit after a tenant has moved out is as soon as possible. This allows for photo shoots to occur promptly after completion of the cleaning, as well as prompt listing and showings to interested parties.
Units that appear newly cleaned, smell clean and inviting and are shown to potential renters provide assurance to interested renters. With no delays in getting the unit occupied again — this saves your cash flow.
2. Finding Quality Renters
There is a fundamental principle in real estate: the state in which a property is maintained at move-in sets the standard against which a property will be judged at move-out.
Prospective renters that visit units during open houses or private showings take note of the smallest details. For example, if there are streaks on the tile floor due to grime prior to moving in, dusty fan blades or even a slightly stale odor present in the unit from the previous occupants, clearly indicate that management has compromised on cleanliness.
These types of environments tend to attract tenants who don’t worry much about maintaining properties. On the other hand, quality tenants (good credit score, good rental history, timely payments) have options. They seek property management firms that value quality and pride themselves in offering superior housing options.
Clean and inviting properties command higher rent. Even more importantly, they set the tone for an unwritten agreement: we gave you our property in pristine condition. We expect you to give us ours in the same manner.
3. Protecting Your Assets & Reducing Depreciation Over Time
Deep cleaning is not purely cosmetic; it serves as a preventive measure. Prolonged exposure to dirt, grease, lime scale and dust create damage to your property over time.
Appliance Maintenance: Grease buildups in ovens’ heating elements and dust accumulations on refrigerators’ condenser coils increase the amount of work that your appliances have to perform; ultimately leading to premature obsolescence. Replacing a commercial-grade refrigerator or oven is expensive enough; replacing both eats into your property’s profit margin each year.
Floors: Fine particles embedded in carpets act similar to sandpaper and reduce carpet fiber life with every footstep taken. As such, carpets need to be replaced more regularly. Additionally, hardwood floors and Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring can be damaged (stained or warped) by spills and grime allowed to remain unchecked for extended periods.
Fixtures & Finishing Elements: Lime scale deposits and mineral rich water deposits can irreversibly pit your plumbing fixtures. Neglected moisture in bathrooms can produce hidden mold growth behind baseboards and dry wall.
By removing these damaging substances from your property during the exit cleaning process, you are extending the usable life of your finishes, fixtures and your appliances.
4. Lessening Litigation Regarding Security Deposits
Security deposits are one of the most contentious issues facing property managers today. When a tenant leaves and sees charges for cleaning listed on their security deposit refund paperwork, it usually leads to an argument. A tenant will typically say that they left the apartment “clean”, but since cleanliness is subjective, disputes usually follow.
Working with an insured and bonded professional cleaning company creates an objective standard. Professional cleaning crews create a detailed checklist outlining what was cleaned according to industry standards applicable to property management.
With evidence proving the property was properly cleaned upon departure based on photographs documenting the conditions at move-in/move-out inspections, disputes regarding security deposit refunds are greatly reduced. Not only does this documentation protect your business from future security deposit litigation, it also increases transparency if an issue develops later.
The Checklist Standard: What Defines Real Move-Out Clean
It’s easy to confuse general household cleaning with a true professional property turnover deep clean. To ensure maximum ROI in terms of real dollars spent on your property, a true move-out clean involves thoroughly cleaning all areas where dirt and odors collect.
Kitchen – Range hood/vent filter degreaser; removal of refrigerator and stove to clean sides of appliances and floors under appliances; sanitize interior and racks/seals of all appliances.
Bathrooms – Complete decalcification of shower heads/fixtures/glass door; scrub grout lines throughout; sanitize basins/toilets/exhaust fans.
Living/Beds – Wipe down all baseboards/window tracks/sills/blinds; dust inside closets/built-ins; dust all lighting fixtures/switch/outlet covers.
Flooring – Vacuum carpet edges using HEPA machines; steam extract carpet if pet/stain history exist; mop/hard seal finish floors.
Conclusion: Convert Cleaning Into An Operational Competitive Advantage
All operational expenses incurred by property managers must demonstrate positive returns. While employing temporary and inexperienced cleaning personnel to perform cleaning tasks may appear economically savvy initially, the hidden costs associated with increased vacancy times which include decreased longevity of appliances, furniture, wall coverings, lower quality applicant pools, and security deposit disputes are not worth the initial perceived dollar savings.
Using experienced/professional crews to perform your move-out cleaning eliminates an operational burden and transforms it into an efficient, operationally driven machine. Through asset preservation, enhanced image among potential applicants, and shorter marketing timeframes — premium move-out cleaning is not costing you money — it is saving you money long term.