Question re: Monthly Rentals & Housekeeping

[imasunbum]

Being fairly new to the rental business I have a an issue that concerns me about monthly rentals. I have chosen to handle my own rentals so that I can somewhat control who is renting my unit and to hopefully be able to be selective enough about who I rent to to try and keep the wear and tear on my unit to a minimum. I have never rented monthly and it concerns me that someone would be in my unit for an entire month without me knowing whether or not it is being taken care of. I know that is what a damage deposit is for but I feel that it may not be enough to cover things in some cases.

Do any of you require any thing special, such as mandatory weekly housekeeping? Any info would really be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Wastin Away]

Being fairly new to the rental business I have a an issue that concerns me about monthly rentals. I have chosen to handle my own rentals so that I can somewhat control who is renting my unit and to hopefully be able to be selective enough about who I rent to to try and keep the wear and tear on my unit to a minimum. I have never rented monthly and it concerns me that someone would be in my unit for an entire month without me knowing whether or not it is being taken care of. I know that is what a damage deposit is for but I feel that it may not be enough to cover things in some cases.

Do any of you require any thing special, such as mandatory weekly housekeeping? Any info would really be appreciated. Thanks!

What I do for monthly rentals is the quote I give them I include the extra housekeeping. I pay for the first, then I require one after 2 weeks and then one when they depart so my price would include the extra two. Since you do your own rental you deal directly with your housekeeper and it is easier for you to collect the cleaning fee than the housekeeper having to collect from the renters and it also guarantees that someone is going in to make sure everything is ok.

 

[Paula]

We don't require mandatory housekeeping for monthly rentals --- just the cleaning at the end of the stay. We've had two monthly rentals and they were by mature adults who took very good care of our place.

Frankly, I hadn't thought of additional cleanings because we assumed guests would clean up after themselves (our places are small so it wouldn't be difficult).

If we had a larger group staying there, I guess it would make sense to have the agency check in at least after two weeks to just check on the place (though I wouldn't require cleaning) if I was concerned about the guests (e.g., younger guests, guests with lots of kids, etc.).

If guests leave too much of a mess even after a weekend or a week, our agency charges them extra on their charge card. The rules about how clean the guests are supposed to leave the rental when they leave are written on the contract (e.g., trash out, fridge empty, no trash on floor, dishes clean and dishwasher already run, etc.). We haven't had any problems yet (or at least none that I know of).

 

[imasunbum]

Thanks so much Paula and Wastinaway - I appreciate the info and I think it is a great idea to include an extra hskp fee in the rate. I will surely do that.

 

[Paula]

You're welcome. I think it depends on the guests. So far our monthly guests have been a few people in their late 50's or older and they left our place in great shape when they left (I was there the day that one couple left and they left the place in great condition). These are the kind of people you want back again and again (In fact, I'd offer them a discount to get them back!).