Why Every Property Manager Should Hire a Professional Cleaning Company
It is a common practice for property managers to assess prospective tenants before leasing to them. The manager is often interested in knowing the tenant’s rental history and may contact former landlords to know what kind of person the tenant is. Property managers do this because it is easier to avoid leasing to the wrong tenant than it is to get rid of that tenant once they are on your property.
What most property managers do not realize is this evaluation happens both ways. Tenants also study you the same way you evaluate them. The only difference is that tenants don’t have elaborate systems for evaluating a property manager. The prospective renter may not ask you a lot of questions or ask you to fill a form, but they will investigate you nonetheless.
Among the things the tenants want to know are:
How responsive is the manager to tenant complains and requests?
What quality of service can they expect and how consistent will it be?
Who are the people the tenant would have to deal with day-to-day?
Is what they see on their first visit the reality of how the home is managed?
Why do tenants ask these questions?
They want to be sure they are making the right decision. Moreover, tenants know you will put on a show to impress them during the showing. So they look for telltale signs that offer clues of your managerial abilities. One of the ways potential renters evaluate you is by how clean your rental property is and who cleans the home.
Why cleanliness matters to prospective tenants
Shows respect and consideration for tenants
A home that has been deep cleaned to the highest standards reveals a willingness to please customers. It shows the manager cares about the welfare of tenants and not just about the money.
It reveals attention to details
Small details like polished hardware on doors or cabinets and the absence of dust inside drawer edges reveal attention to detail. They give tenants an indication of how the manager will approach larger issues.
Shows class and excellence
Property managers communicate the quality of their rental and the kinds of tenants they want to attract by how they clean the property. They know that quality renters who are willing to pay more also expect more.
Shows professionalism
Tenants want a property manager who is professional. One way that property managers demonstrate their professionalism is by hiring a professional cleaning company to ensure the rental is cleaned in the best way possible.
Why property managers need a professional cleaning company
What is the difference between cleaning your rental by yourself, having an amateur clean the home, and hiring a professional cleaning company to do it? How does that difference impact the building, the performance of your business, and the comfort of the tenants in your property?
It is one of the best ways to advertise the home
There is no better advert for the rental than to have the kind of cleaning people usually associate with five-star hotels. That level of cleanliness will be on display the first minute a potential tenants steps into the rental home.
Consistent level of quality service
By hiring a professional cleaning service, you ensure that the rental is always cleaned to a high standard. Hiring a professional cleaning service shows potential renters that you are serious about cleanliness and not simply putting on a show.
Tenants feel more at home
Tenants are happier in a home where they do not have to constantly bump into the property manager. Hiring a professional cleaner provides a neutral third party that your tenants will be more comfortable dealing with.
Protect your property from wear and tear
Dirt and bacteria clinging to the surfaces of your home will hasten the breakdown of the materials in the home. Using the wrong cleaning solutions or methods will also damage the home. Professional cleaners help you avoid both problems.
Reduce vacancy periods
A professional cleaning company can help reduce the time when a unit becomes vacant and when it is ready for showing to prospective tenants. A rental does not earn any income while it is vacant but a professional cleaner can help you with this by having the vacant home ready within 24 hours.
Tenants want to stay longer
A professional cleaning company will make your rental properties more profitable by making it hard for tenants to want to leave. Most rental properties are a hassle to live in and when tenants find one they love, they are likely to stay put. Long-term tenants mean higher occupancy rates and guaranteed rental income.
You build a reputation for competence
As a property manager, your reputation will often precede you. You never know when people are going to talk about you, to whom, where, and for what purpose. The only thing you can do is try to ensure that when they do talk about you, they have only good things to say. You guarantee that by the all–around professionalism in the way you manage your properties.