House Cleaning and Keeping Your Security Deposit

Most people have a threshold for cleanliness when it comes to keeping their apartment or house clean. While some may have a very liberal cleaning schedule, others may prefer to do some light cleaning at least once a day. However, very few people will pay close attention to the details when they clean their home. So when the time comes to move, it might be necessary to hire a service for a thorough house cleaning.

Before renting any apartment or home, most landlords will require a security deposit equal to one month's rent to cover any damages incurred to the property while it is under lease. This deposit can sometimes cover the cost of cleaning services in the event that the tenant has left the property too dirty. Legally, the deposit cannot be used for normal wear and tear, but the landlord can withhold a portion of the deposit if they must hire house cleaning services. While most tenants are indeed clean, it is not uncommon to find that the apartment is much dirtier than it seems, once it has been cleared of furniture and other belongings. As a result, many former tenants have been surprised to find that the landlord has retained a small portion of their deposit to employ cleaning services.

Since the landlord is allowed to use a portion of the security deposit to pay for a house cleaning, they can employ any service that fits their needs. Therefore, they may have no price discretion, and it is not uncommon for some companies to charge as much as $500 for a thorough house cleaning that includes carpet cleaning, dusting, and deodorizing. This is why many renters will instead hire a house cleaning service themselves, once they have cleared their belongings. In fact, many of these services will offer special pricing for this type of cleaning regimen.

Moving is expensive and time-consuming enough. Yet, many renters have found that even after following the terms of their lease, and leaving their apartment damage free, the landlord has retained some of their deposit for cleaning services. Indeed, living in a home for an extended period of time can affect the overall cleanliness of a home, even with a strict cleaning schedule. Adding a cleaning service to the list of things to do during a move is a good way to save time and money, especially if it means receiving a full refund on the security deposit.