Create a List of Common Damages of Property Management and Put Them in the Lease

Does  important source  annoy you each time a tenant moves out and instead gives off a bunch of trash, broken blinds, and dirty floors and than becomes upset if you maintain your security deposit? Well, here is a wonderful tool that can help end those long arguments and occasional small claims court cases filed by a disgruntled, former tenant.
In our property management company, we utilize the addendum below and insert it into the lease. It lists every one of the common damages and we assign repair costs. The lease clearly states the tenant is going to be charged these amounts in the event any of these damages occur. We review this list while using tenant throughout the lease signing so there is no misunderstanding. This procedure essentially draws a line inside the sand. If they move-out as well as the rental is not properly cleaned or maintained, they will probably be charged, along with the quantity of those charges is spelled out upfront.
Of course, the previous tenant will still call you up and scream, yell, or deny some of these damages occurred. "It was prefer that when I moved in," is incredibly common response. If you've got been on your ball and took digital pictures of all damages, you simply email them the pictures using a scanned copy with their lease. At this point, the tenant knows you've got them "dead to rights." They will still moan and complain, but at the very least you've got headed off a possible small claims court case against you for wrongfully keeping the safety deposit.
Even if they might file such a case, the judge is far more likely to visit your side of the issue if you can provide pictures of damages plus a signed lease that clearly spells out damage costs. Demonstrating this type of professionalism and organization is a big relief to many judges. They are used to hearing all kinds of cases where landlords unlawfully keep the security deposit as a result of improper notice, dishonesty, or laziness.
Here is sample of Clean/Replacement Charges you could put in your lease. Feel free to adjust the because you see fit.
Move out Cleaning/Replacement Charges-
GENERAL
Painting $45.00 by the hour Cleaning Current contractor pricing Carpet cleaning Current contractor pricing Stain removal Current contractor pricing Carpet replacement Current contractor pricing Carpet repair Current contractor pricing Sliding glass door cleaning $10.00 - $25.00 each Vinyl floor cleaning $10.00 - $25.00 each Lock change $30.00 - $40.00 each Keys $7.00 each Re-screen window $10.00 - $35.00 each Re-screen slider $20.00 - $48.00 each New slider screen door $100.00 Interior door $65.00 - $85.00 each Bi-fold door $65.00 each Extermination treatment Current contractor pricing Smoke Detector $20.00 Removal of large items (furniture) $50.00 per item Removal of bagged debris $10.00 per bag Drywall repair(s) $20.00/ 6"x6" area Blinds (regular mini) $12.50 - $21.00 each 2" faux wood blinds $50.00 each Vertical blinds $65.00-115.00 each Vertical blind replacement slat $4.00 - $8.00 each Broken window or slider glass Current contractor pricing Track lighting $45.00 - $65.00 each Satellite removal $150.00 Regular light bulbs $1.00 - $2.00 each Vanity light bulbs $2.00 - $4.00
KITCHEN
Refrigerator cleaning $20.00 Oven cleaning $30.00 Range top cleaning $20.00 Microwave cleaning $15.00 Dishwasher cleaning $15.00 Washer/Dryer cleaning $20.00 Cabinet cleaning $50.00 -75.00 New garbage disposal $75.00 Sink stopper $6.50 Burner element $15.00 Drip pans (each) $4.00sm/$6.00lg Burner plug $25.00 Crisper tray $50.00
BATH
Bathtub cleaning $20.00 Toilet cleaning $10.00 Vanity cleaning $10.00 Porcelain chip $25.00 per A�" Toilet seat $15.00 Toilet tank or bowl $45.00 Complete toilet $85.00 Bathroom mirror $40.00-80.00 ea Bathroom exhaust fan $50.00 Towel rack $20.00 Soap dish/Toothbrush holder $10.00 Shower head $10.00-50.00 ea
Prices usually do not include expense of installation or labor. Any damages that want installation or labor will incur yet another cost of $30.00 hourly with a minimum of A� hour.
Prices stated above are for goods that exceed normal wear and tear.
Prices are at the mercy of change. Items that can be classified as extremely dirty or filthy will incur additional fee(s).
Money is done within the details and this is a great method to ensure a much more profitable turn of your apartment. Like anything profitable, it will require discipline to set it up and enforce it, however you will likely be glad you did plus your property management skills will grow.