Tidiness of property for showings to potential tenants

[VicChung]

Hello everyone,

One of my tenants is planning to move out from one of my units. They have been good tenants and do not damage the property. However, though we have a newly renovated unit, the place is pretty untidy. Can a landlord force the tenant to keep the property in showing condition for potential tenants? How can I enforce this rule without being too forceful? I have asked them nicely for now, but it does not seem like they have listened.

Can I deduct the money from the damage deposit as a result of the property not being in tidy condition and losing potential tenants?

Thanks, Vic

 

[NorthernAlex]

Hi Vic.
In Ontario you only can ask the tenant to have it nice and clean and hope. You can not deduct anything while the lease is still running. It is everyones choice how he/she lives- nevertheless we like it or not as long the lease is running (even if there are only a couple days left) and the rent is paid on time.

I have pictures of the empty apartment which I provide to potential new tenants and if I have a messy tenant I plan to show after he left or during their moving process. It is quit excusable to say there why it is messy.

BTW, I am talking about untidiness and normal wear and tear of property usage, not any kind of damage. As soon as someone gives notice, I go in there in to check for any kind of damage before they are gone.

Where are you located?

 

[Thomas Beyer]

QUOTE (VicChung @ Feb 27 2009, 10:50 PM) Can a landlord force the tenant to keep the property in showing condition for potential tenants? ...

Can I deduct the money from the damage deposit as a result of the property not being in tidy condition and losing potential tenants?
no .. and no .. unless there is a health issue i.e. mold, mice, smell that bothers neighbors etc. ...

you can ask ..but being messy is a vague term ..

You could offer an incentive i.e. if I am able to rent this place by XXX date I will pay you $250 .. (and tell them to clean their place up) .. but it is clearly voluntary !

 

[NorthernAlex]

QUOTE (thomasbeyer2000 @ Feb 28 2009, 01:19 PM) .....You could offer an incentive i.e. if I am able to rent this place by XXX date I will pay you $250 .. (and tell them to clean their place up) .. but it is clearly voluntary !

Thomas, thank you for this one. Great idea!!!

 

[VicChung]

QUOTE (NorthernAlex @ Feb 28 2009, 11:40 AM) Thomas, thank you for this one. Great idea!!!


Thanks everyone. I am located in Calgary. The tenants have been great so far. However, they have breached the legal agreement a few times by having additional pets that should not have. I have been lenient as the lease is coming to an end and also, in the hope that they would be co-operative. Should I issue a letter that they have breached the lease agreement?

I have also provided a viewing schedule to my current tenants. However, they now seem to have stopped any communications. Any suggestions on how to get the tenants talking again?

 

[EdRenkema]

QUOTE (VicChung @ Feb 27 2009, 11:50 PM) Hello everyone,

One of my tenants is planning to move out from one of my units. They have been good tenants and do not damage the property. However, though we have a newly renovated unit, the place is pretty untidy. Can a landlord force the tenant to keep the property in showing condition for potential tenants? How can I enforce this rule without being too forceful? I have asked them nicely for now, but it does not seem like they have listened.

Can I deduct the money from the damage deposit as a result of the property not being in tidy condition and losing potential tenants?

Thanks, Vic


I have the same problem with some of my student tenants, I sent them an email indicating that their mother does not live here and requesting they pick up their own garbage since it was piled in the kitchen. Its just a matter of not caring and not wanting to pick up after someone else when they `overlook` their own mess. It was better for a week then back to the mess. Its a 50 metre walk to the dumpster, too far I guess!