Move out cleanliness question

[DJ Espiritu]

Hey everyone. I purchased a duplex last month to househack. The side I’m moving into is finishing their tenancy and I will be moving in that side. They had been staying there for 8 years and were a family friend of the seller. Being so, they didn’t have an official lease agreement during their tenancy and have been paying cash to the owner. They are already in the moving process and on their way out. I wanted to know how I can go about the degree of cleanliness they are to be leaving the property. They did not have a security deposit. So far I left them a move out checklist but with no security deposit I’m not sure how I can go about charging them for cleaning fees including carpet shampooing. Any suggestions?

[Jon Holdman]

Leases typically specify "broom clean".  Not spotless, not professionally cleaned.

You would not be able to charge anything for eight year old carpet here.  Anything older than three years is considered to have served its useful lifetime.  Even the IRS says flooring only lasts fie years.

I'd be hard pressed to charge an eight year tenant for anything short of holes knocked in walls.