Anyone leave cleaning instructions? :)

[JK0]

We all know it, don't we? Tenants expect the place to be spotless when they move in, and then don't do a hand's turn for six months. I have some sympathy, as I was not taught cleaning myself, and had to work out my own cleaning routine after several years of living in a tip.

Do any fellow landlords leave cleaning instructions for tenants? I have a single bloke moving in soon, who I'm guessing may be as clueless as I was. Should I make up a little pamphlet?

[jpucng62]

I leave a page of instructions in the home pack with suggested cleaning materials for each job, phrasing it as 'how to get your deposit back when you leave & making your home a nicer place to live'. Whether anyone reads it or not.......

[nukecad]

I leave a page of instructions in the home pack with suggested cleaning materials for each job,

LOL. I'd think my new landlord was a right old nanny, and wonder what kind of nitpicking I was in for in future.

TBH a page of instructions isn't going to change anyones cleaning (or not cleaning) habits, just make you look petty.

[Berlingogirl]

Yes you should. I got sick to the back teeth of laminate flooring being ruined by being mopped with a wet mop, and black mould not cleaned off , etc. so I leave instructions as part of an increasingly fat rental pack.

[jpucng62]

Yes you should. I got sick to the back teeth of laminate flooring being ruined by being mopped with a wet mop, and black mould not cleaned off , etc. so I leave instructions as part of an increasingly fat rental pack.

A have small properties that often rent to first time renters who may not have ever cleaned a house before. Over the years I have discovered the best cleaning products & I share this knowledge. As Berlingogirl states, it is easy to ruin laminate so I leave instructions for this and many tenants don't seem to know that the seal at the bottom of a shower screen can be removed - I have discovered these black with mould or green with algae!

Nukecad - just because you know how to clean doesn't mean everybody does. I have taken back properties after 6 months or a year where some things have clearly never been cleaned - things like shower hoses, cooker hoods, light fittings. Tenants then get charged.

No-one has to read my notes but there is no excuse for not knowing how to clean something if the notes are there.

[ash72]

I don't, I just make sure at the end of the tenancy, if it's not cleaned I have it compensated in the rent I charged, if it's more than this then I make a claim against the deposit.

I should also add, do quarterly/ half yearly inspections and make a note on that if it's not cleaned.

[JK0]

Thanks all. Those who do leave instructions, what do you think about leaving some bottles & cloths? I can see the excuse being that tenant could not find the correct item in the shop.

[royw]

Single bloke? No need for instructions, the fairies do the cleaning...

[dp17]

Sadly from experience , it really is down to the particular tenant. By all means leave some products but as we have found, no matter what you leave or what you tell them, they will still do what they want or don't want to do, regardless. As a newbie at this that has been a learning exercise.

[DoricPixie]

Yes because my property has a pyrolytic oven and under no circumstances should a product like Oven Mate be used with it. This information is also in the manual which is left at the property along with the manuals for all the other kitchen appliances but given on day 1 of a tenancy I had the letting agency contact me because the tenant couldn’t turn on the oven it was clear she had not RTFM. Nor had the letting agency told her to RTFM as I had told the letting agency the manuals were all in a large blue folder in the kitchen.

I have read of tenants challenging deposit deductions because they don’t realise wooden kitchen workshops should be treated/cleaned differently from laminate or as Berlingogirl has experienced tenants soaking laminate flooring with excessively wet mops.

I like jpucng62’s instructions on how to get your deposit back.

[jpucng62]

If you have something that requires specialised cleaning I would leave an appropriate cleaner at the start of the tenancy with clear instructions on what to use & what to not use.

We had a property with a Saniflo toilet and we provided the specialised cleaning & descaling fluid throughout the tenancy to avoid tenants using cheaper, ordinary cleaners which can cause problems.

Much better to spend a few pounds in advance that have a repair bill or dispute later.

[Lots on]

I’m afraid I don’t as I don’t want to be seen as a nagging landlord. I probably should. The exception is the new flooring I had put down for this tenancy, I left instructions, a mop and a bottle of the product recommended by the manufacturers. I also leave a laminated sheet in the living room about measures to take to prevent damp and condensation as I’ve had too many tenants drape dripping wet towels over radiators then complain about mould.

[JK0]

Okay, I've come up with this which fits on one sheet of A4. I plan to laminate this and maybe stick it to a piece of hardboard.

Have I missed anything vital?

[jpucng62]

Okay, I've come up with this which fits on one sheet of A4. I plan to laminate this and maybe stick it to a piece of hardboard.

Have I missed anything vital?

Maybe a bit specific & personal. I just say which product for which surface - ie. this product for baths, that one for limescale.

[JK0]

Maybe a bit specific & personal. I just say which product for which surface - ie. this product for baths, that one for limescale.

I think some tenants need specific & personal. Did you see the picture I took of my friend (and tenant)'s hob?

DSCF0110 (Medium).JPG