Can a landlord tell you how clean to keep your house?
The landlords or real estate agents have no authority over how or when you clean your home. Unless they have a good reason, it’s a dirty house. If the landlord believes the tenant is breaching health or fire laws, causing damage to themselves or the property, or causing harm to others, the landlord can surely instruct you to deep clean the house better.
Certainly, this has resulted in many disagreements between tenants and landlords and return of security deposits because tenants consider that cleaning the property should be at their autonomy and convenience. Some landlords, on the other hand, have regulations that they expect the tenants to follow from the day tenant moves in.
What is a dirty or unkempt rental apartment?
Tenants who do not clean their rented space may create an unhealthy and unsafe living environment, as well as harm the property in the long term apart from the regular wear and tear. These damages can devalue the property and result in considerable repair bills for the landlord without proper cleaning.
Here are some examples of unsanitary living circumstances.
- The presence of insects, rodents, or cockroaches;
- Garbage that has accumulated for several days or weeks;
- The unpleasant odor emanating from any location on the property;
- Mold growth in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other areas of the home;
- Toxic substances in the home;
- Dishes that haven’t been cleaned and decaying food that hasn’t been handled in days or weeks;
- Outside-the-litter-box animal feces;
- Clogged air circulation owing to inadequately stowed tenant possessions or blocked furnace intakes;
- Clutter. Too many unneeded items in your home can accumulate dust and become a source of pests, as well as a host of other problems for your health and property.
Can you be evicted for being disorganized?
If your apartment or rental property is already in these circumstances, your landlord may require you to make immediate repairs as per tenancy agreement. Otherwise, your landlord may issue an eviction notice and begin the eviction procedure. It is only reasonable to preserve the property from future harm as quickly as feasible.
In many instances, once you borrow something, you should take care of the items or property that was entrusted to you in good faith. If it cannot be done or corrected, the leasing agreement will be terminated, and fines may be enforced.
The requirements of maintaining the rental unit or house clean should be explicitly specified in the lease agreement for the benefit of both parties, the lessor and the lessee. If there are any disagreements about the fine print, the agreement should be consulted.
For example, if the lease agreement stipulates that you will be given three warnings to clean up a mess to a “satisfactory” or “acceptable” condition before the landlord can evict you, the landlord cannot evict you without the three warnings as proof of eviction.
That is why it is essential to read through contract or lease agreements before engaging into one. Before signing, double-check that everything is in order. If in doubt, do not be afraid to ask and clarify the contract’s conditions.
How to Keep Your Home Clean:
Whether you live alone, with family and children, or with pets, keeping your home clean is not always a simple task like vacuuming carpets. There are various methods for keeping your home clean.
Employ a cleaning service
In some situations, terms in the lease agreement grant the landlord the right to employ a cleaning service at the tenant’s expense. Make it clear to your landlord whether you agree to this or not. Because this is an additional expense for the renter, it is best to address it upfront.
However, it is ideal for all sides if the tenant agrees to this because some people do not have time to clean. This ensures that the property is properly and thoroughly cleaned each time.
Clear out your home
As previously stated, clutter is unquestionably an indication of a filthy home. It makes your home appear dirty and collects dust, which is hazardous to your health. It’s best to get rid of stuff you don’t or rarely use and can live without in order to maintain a functional and easy-to-clean home.
Keep in mind that a cluttered house is a valid complaint from your landlord that might lead to eviction. Debris is also a fire hazard, and it invites rats who may hide in the clutter. And undoubtedly a source of infestations that could lead to the termination of your lease with your landlord.
Cleaning chores should be planned or assigned
As overwhelming as cleaning can be, it is essential to plan ahead of time or dedicate a day to undertake simple and general house cleaning. If you have other family members who can assist, allocate those cleaning jobs so that they can be completed efficiently.
It will be less difficult and time-consuming if more people assist with cleaning operations. This way, you can ensure that the house is kept in good condition.
As You Go Cleaning
A best practice wherever you are and wherever you go, especially at home where you spend the majority of your time. It will help you save time and effort when cleaning the house in general. This is referred to be a basic cleaning habit.
When cooking, make sure that spills are cleared down and that dishes are done immediately. If it is after the end of the day, do not leave it to clean. Otherwise, it will pile up later and make it more difficult to finish.
Make use of cleaning machines that will make your life easier
One of the many benefits of technology is that it makes our lives easier. Make use of those machines. Consider a vacuum cleaner. There are numerous sorts of vacuum cleaners available to assist you in cleaning your home.
The adoption of a robot vacuum cleaner is one of the hottest fads right now. If you don’t have much time to spend cleaning the house from top to bottom, this could be the solution. This one cleans automatically and can even be managed remotely.
When it comes to doing the dishes, a dishwasher comes in handy. This cuts down on the time you spend cleaning up after cooking and eating. Simply place all of the dirty dishes inside, press the button, and wait for it to finish.
Organise your belongings in storage rooms
Having an orderly storage area is another technique to keep your house clean and clutter-free. This will keep your valuables safe and away from dust while also ensuring a tidy residence at all times.
Just make sure to replace the products in their storage boxes after usage. Also, keep in mind that those storages should not be blocking any ventilation or exits that could endanger you in an emergency.
Your Tenant Rights:
If your mess is minor and not obtrusive, you should be alright. If it does not violate any of the terms of your lease, your landlord has no right to make you clean up the mess.
It is critical that you have a copy of your lease contract as well as your landlord’s explicit expectations for the rented space. For example, if you enjoy gardening and your yard is overrun with overgrown vegetation, you should consider mowing it. You cannot be fined for having overgrown plants unless it is specifically stated in the contract.
If it is not explicitly stated in your contract, you must guarantee that the garden and gardening tools do not constitute a nuisance to the property.
What are the signs that your landlord is bothering you?
You should be concerned if your landlord is already pressuring you about keeping your place tidy and other issues. Some warning signals that it is already harassment include:
- Enters your home without permission; turns off your utilities, whether paid or unpaid; they have no right to do so without prior warning;
- Does not permit the usage of certain features contained in your lease agreement;
- Refuses to undertake substantial repairs or provide necessary maintenance;
- Removes your personal items; shows up for unannounced check-ins; threatens you verbally or physically
- Even if the landlord is the ultimate owner of the property, this does not give him the authority to harass the renter. Make a complaint right away to protect yourself. Each state has its own Landlord-Tenant legislation, and it is your responsibility to discover the details.
Conclusion:
Keeping a clean house, whether your own or rented, is a desirable habit to develop in our daily lives. Keeping your home clean will keep you looking organized and tidy, and it will reflect your inner self.
