Has anyone used reverse deposits to get tenants to take care of their units?

[McKellar Newsom]

Kevin Yeats commented on my "Disadvantages of Section 8" rental blog. He asked about providing "reverse deposits" as an incentive for tenants to keep their homes clean and maintained. He suggested giving $200 at the end of a year lease if a home was deemed clean.

Has anyone used these? I haven't. mck

[Joe Bertolino]

For $200 I can get a great cleaning job from my regular vendor who has all of the proper tools and attention to detail. Most of my section 8 tenants have a different opinion on what is clean than I or my cleaning service do. I think you are setting yourself up to have a conflict with your former tenant over a poorly cleaned house while they want the $200 that was promised to them.