Skip to Content

Make Sure Your Fort Worth Tenants are Staying Clean

Fort Worth Messy KitchenAs a property owner, you want to know that your tenant is keeping your Fort Worth rental property clean. When all is said and done, the value of your property depends, in part, on the overall condition. It’s just unfortunate that some tenants may not be keeping up with their cleaning and property maintenance. And even more, if you never check up on them, you may not even know that cleanliness is an actual issue until it shows up to be a much bigger problem.

Regular property inspections are an important part of your overall property management process. However, like numerous other aspects of owning rental properties, some approaches to property inspections are more suitable than others. Knowing why inspections are important, how to create and carry out an inspection schedule, and how to talk with your tenant about cleanliness are all aspects that a serious and successful property owner has to realize.

Having regular property inspections are important for numerous reasons. It can provide valuable insight into how well your tenant is upholding the terms of the lease and help you catch developing problems early on. Most tenants may have different ideas about what cleanliness is or may not see the dirty house or yard as a need to worry. They may even feel that the cleanliness of the home is none of your business. But in fact, nothing could be more false. A dirty house or yard can quickly result in more serious problems, including structural damage, bad odors, pest infestations, and more. Unless these concerns are discovered and handled quickly, you could find yourself caught with expensive repairs beyond what the security deposit will cover.

In view of the fact that property inspections are important, it’s important to have an organized approach to having them conducted. As a property owner, you have numerous different kinds of inspections in your property management toolbox. The move-in inspection can help you establish a baseline for your property’s condition, helpful if you need to assess wear and tear or property damage later on. Then there are drive-by inspections, which will allow you to drive by your rental property and check for visible issues with the property’s exterior.

The most important inspections, however, are regular inspections for safety and cleanliness in the property’s interior. There isn’t a fixed number of inspections you have to execute every year. Some property owners prefer to inspect the property once a year, while others may plan to check the rental house every three or six months. Annual inspections are the most commonly done due to the fact that they grant property owners to get a clear sense of the property’s condition without developing heaps of difficulties for their tenants.

It’s necessary not to inspect the property too often, because your constant intrusions may discourage your tenant. Even so, if you have uncovered cleanliness problems in your previous inspections, more frequent visits may be necessary until you are quite sure that your tenant is keeping the property clean. The same goes if you discover your tenant has an unauthorized pet or that unauthorized people are always staying in the house. Doesn’t matter what you learn over your inspection, you need to document each visit carefully in photos and writing.

Talking to tenants about cleanliness inspections can be quite a bit complicated, though it doesn’t necessarily have to be. One superb way to manage your tenant’s expectations about property inspections is to include an inspection schedule in the lease. It’s equally crucial to give proper notice before entering the property and ensure that your tenant knows the purpose of your visit. Building and establishing good communication with your tenant can make your property inspections much easier for everyone, and help you check the property as needed.

If you do ask your tenant to clean up the property, it’s best to do so in writing. By extending clear requests and a detailed list of tasks for your tenant, you leave no doubt what you desire from them. You can likewise include the photographs you take to be even more persuasive and to create a strong paper trail, should there be a need.

When used routinely and appropriately, regular property inspections can help you make sure that your tenants are keeping your rental property clean. And, definitely, when your tenants realize you will be following up on things, you offer a stronger incentive to your tenant to keep the property tidy.

Need help coming up with a lease, or maybe you’d rather not deal with your tenants at all? Feel free to reach out to Real Property Management One Source and talk to one of our property managers at 214-960-1612 or contact us online.

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.

The Neighborly Done Right Promise

The Neighborly Done Right Promise ® delivered by Real Property Management, a proud Neighborly company

When it comes to finding the right property manager for your investment property, you want to know that they stand behind their work and get the job done right – the first time. At Real Property Management we have the expertise, technology, and systems to manage your property the right way. We work hard to optimize your return on investment while preserving your asset and giving you peace of mind. Our highly trained and skilled team works hard so you can be sure your property's management will be Done Right.

Canada excluded. Services performed by independently owned and operated franchises.

See Full Details