Picture this, if you can, it’s not hard to imagine! A student house with overflowing, smelly bins, the wall behind splashed up with misaimed rubbish remnants, dirty pots all over the worktops, sticky cupboards, smokey oven with last the remains of months dinner in it, bathrooms that are hard to imagine that you clean yourself in there, mysterious stains on the sofas and the list goes on. Now I’m not saying all students are like this, I’m just saying there’s a more likely chance that the landlord’s hopes of a clean and tidy end of tenancy are minimal.
While most landlords hope that tenants will clean shared spaces, the reality is that student accommodation becomes a breeding ground for mess, tension, and the odd damaged item. All very costly to you, the landlord, and relying on students to self-manage cleanliness is a gamble. Here’s how our professional student cleaning services can protect your property, profits, and peace of mind.
The hidden costs of messy shared housing
Potential decoration costs, carpet/mattresses/upholstery cleaning costs, countless repairs, replacements of shower/bath silicone, potential pest control bills, broken furniture, etc.
Students don’t always share the same cleanliness standards
Students come from diverse backgrounds, and their ideas of “clean” can vary wildly. While one tenant can tidy as they go and maybe will wipe the counter down after themselves, another may live with rotting food in their room for weeks/months. Without a structure cleaning intervention that could be implemented every 6 months, shared spaces can decline very quickly, and after a 1-year tenancy can be challenging to the most experienced cleaning companies.
Mess can cause disputes
Dirty dishes, filthy bathrooms, and cluttered hallways are top triggers for housemates. Unresolved arguments over who hasn’t taken the bin out to empty in weeks are just one potential issue faced by tenants. Ongoing disagreements can lead to the breaking of leases, forcing unwanted stress on agents and landlords. Finding replacement tenants results in a loss of revenue.
Long-term mess leads to costly damage and complaints
Neglected spills attract unwanted pests. Mold thrives in damp, dirty showers. Stained carpets and broken appliances eat into profits. But worse, unresolved complaints about squalid environments can damage your reputation or lead to legal action.
You can’t count on students to self-regulate
Conflicting routines and expectations
Take into consideration, varying lecture schedules, part-time jobs, hobbies, interests, and active social lives, students rarely coordinate cleaning. A chore chart might work short-term, but life gets in the way and enthusiasm fades. Cleaning bathrooms and heavy kitchen use is not that appealing to them, when study and social activity take centre stage.
Passive avoidance is common
No one wants to take the role has the nagging one that is constantly on everyone’s back. Instead, people take the stance of ignoring the buildup of mess and hoping that someone else will sort this out; suddenly, a stalemate occurs, and no one is prepared to budge.
Lack of accountability in shared housing
In shared housing, it’s easy for tenants to deflect blame. “That’s not my mess.” Without clear instructions that are regularly enforced, a snowball effect of maintenance build-up will occur.
Professional cleaning solves the problem at the source
Remove tension between tenants
Scheduling regular communal cleaning services that address problems and heavy traffic areas. Constantly keeping any issues at bay, also encouraging tenants to participate in maintaining standards. This shows a clear message that everyone can not misunderstand.
Protect your property investment
Professional cleaners address areas that need attention, including kitchen cleaning, oven cleaning, carpet cleaning, appliances that gradually build up grime, and bathrooms with the constant attack of limescale and mold. Prevention care saves in the long run from hefty repair bills.
Make your HMO more attractive to future tenants
Nobody could disagree that a well-maintained property stands out as more desirable than one that’s left to fend for itself. Highlighting professional regular cleaning for student rentals in your ads will not only attract a more discerning tenant, but they will also be willing to pay a premium.
Our most frequently asked questions about student house cleaning, shared spaces, and end of tenancy
Are landlords responsible for cleaning shared areas in student HMOs?
Although it’s not a legal requirement, it is in the best interest of the landlord. If there is an health and safety issues, then the responsibility is on the landlord.
How often is it recommended to clean a shared student property?
Weekly or bi-weekly is the recommended service; this ensures a constant cleaning standard. All properties should require an end-of-tenancy deep clean at the end of the tenancy period.
Can cleaning costs be included in the rent?
Absolutely. Many landlords bundle cleaning fees into the rent, which brings satisfaction to the tenant and peace of mind to the landlord.
What’s included in a student’s regular communal cleaning
All communal areas are addressed; heavily used areas like the kitchens, bathrooms are concentrated more so, other areas are dusted, wiped, hoovered, and mopped. Waste removal and sanitising, along with custom packaging from We Clean It Ltd.
Do professional cleaners handle messy or hoarded spaces?
We (Clean It) do, and we love helping more vulnerable people to live a healthier lifestyle. A clean environment will improve mental well-being. We also specialise in post-party clean-up, after-builds, and post-renovation, pre-inspection refreshers.
Don’t let a messy tenant cost you money.
Relying on students to maintain shared spaces is a recipe for dispute. With We Clean It, you will safeguard your property value and keep everyone happy, including yourself.
Ready to transform your HMO? Get in touch with our expert team today; because a spotless property is a profitable one.