Cleaning between tenants

[Christine Swaidan]

Should all carpets be professionally cleaned between tenants?

Here's the situation. New carpet in December. Tenant moved in January 1 and is now leaving. Clean guy, no pets, color of carpet is designed to not show dirt.

What's your policy regarding cleaning if it looks good. If I do have it cleaned, can I charge the tenant?

[Michele Fischer]

Our rental agreement states that the tenants moving out need to have the carpets professionally cleaned and leave the receipt with us.  This makes it really clear that if they fail to do it, we can take it out of the deposit.

In this case I would not charge him for cleaning if it wasn't an expectation and it is in great shape.

We evaluate carpet for cleaning and replacement on a case by case basis, it doesn't need to be cleaned every time unless your tenant landlord law stipulates it.  I've come across a lot of applicants with invalid assumptions about what has to be done for paint and flooring between turns.

Whenever you are in the unit, keep watching it and smelling it.  If it stays good, let it go.  If you have any doubts, go ahead and get it cleaned.  Our carpets often seem OK right at move out, but start stinking later, if pets are involved.