Create a List of Common Damages of Property Management and Put Them in the Lease
Does it annoy you when a tenant moves out and leaves a lot of trash, broken blinds, and dirty floors and than becomes upset whenever you maintain your security deposit? Well, here's a wonderful tool that will aid end those long arguments and occasional small claims court cases filed with a disgruntled, former tenant.
In our property management company, we make use of the addendum below and insert it to the lease. It lists all of the common damages and we assign repair costs. The lease clearly states the tenant will be charged these amounts in case some of these damages occur. We go over this list with all the tenant throughout the lease signing so there can be no misunderstanding. This procedure in place draws a line in the sand. If they move-out as well as the rental is not properly cleaned or maintained, they is going to be charged, and the amount of those charges is spelled out ahead of time.
Of course, the first kind tenant will still call you up and scream, yell, or deny all of these damages occurred. "It was like this when I moved in," is very common response. If you have been on the ball and took digital pictures of all damages, you just email them the pictures using a scanned copy of these lease. At this point, the tenant knows you've got them "dead to rights." They will still moan and complain, but a minimum of you have headed off a prospective small claims court case against you for wrongfully keeping the security deposit.
Even if they might file a real case, the judge is far more planning to call at your side from the issue whenever you can provide pictures of damages plus a signed lease that clearly spells out damage costs. Demonstrating this kind of professionalism, trust , organization is a big relief to the majority judges. They are used to hearing all sorts of cases where landlords unlawfully maintain your security deposit due to improper notice, dishonesty, or laziness.
Here is sample of Clean/Replacement Charges you could invest your lease. Feel free to adjust the when you think fit.
Move out Cleaning/Replacement Charges-
GENERAL
Painting $45.00 by the hour Cleaning Current contractor pricing Carpet cleaning Current contractor pricing Stain removal Current contractor pricing Carpet replacement Current contractor pricing Carpet repair Current contractor pricing Sliding glass door cleaning $10.00 - $25.00 each Vinyl floor cleaning $10.00 - $25.00 each Lock change $30.00 - $40.00 each Keys $7.00 each Re-screen window $10.00 - $35.00 each Re-screen slider $20.00 - $48.00 each New slider screen door $100.00 Interior door $65.00 - $85.00 each Bi-fold door $65.00 each Extermination treatment Current contractor pricing Smoke Detector $20.00 Removal of huge items (furniture) $50.00 per item Removal of bagged debris $10.00 per bag Drywall repair(s) $20.00/ 6"x6" area Blinds (regular mini) $12.50 - $21.00 each 2" faux wood blinds $50.00 each Vertical blinds $65.00-115.00 each Vertical blind replacement slat $4.00 - $8.00 each Broken window or slider glass Current contractor pricing Track lighting $45.00 - $65.00 each Satellite removal $150.00 Regular light bulbs $1.00 - $2.00 each Vanity light bulbs $2.00 - $4.00
KITCHEN
Refrigerator cleaning $20.00 Oven cleaning $30.00 Range top cleaning $20.00 Microwave cleaning $15.00 Dishwasher cleaning $15.00 Washer/Dryer cleaning $20.00 Cabinet cleaning $50.00 -75.00 New garbage disposal $75.00 Sink stopper $6.50 Burner element $15.00 Drip pans (each) $4.00sm/$6.00lg Burner plug $25.00 Crisper tray $50.00
BATH
Bathtub cleaning $20.00 Toilet cleaning $10.00 Vanity cleaning $10.00 Porcelain chip $25.00 per A�" Toilet seat $15.00 Toilet tank or bowl $45.00 Complete toilet $85.00 Bathroom mirror $40.00-80.00 ea Bathroom exhaust fan $50.00 Towel rack $20.00 Soap dish/Toothbrush holder $10.00 Shower head $10.00-50.00 ea
Prices usually do not include tariff of installation or labor. Any damages that require installation or labor will incur one more expense of $30.00 by the hour using a minimum of A� hour.
Prices stated above are for items which exceed normal deterioration.
Prices are susceptible to change. Items that would be classified as extremely dirty or filthy will incur additional fee(s).
Money is created inside the details and also this is a wonderful way to ensure an even more profitable turn of your rental. Like anything profitable, it takes discipline to set it up and enforce it, however, you will probably be glad learn about plus your property management skills will grow.