What to consider when hiring a cleaner

One of the problems of owning rental properties is you never quite know what condition tenants are going to leave them in, which is where professional cleaning services can prove invaluable.

However, it’s important that you carry out the necessary research to make sure you choose someone who is up to the job, otherwise you could find yourself paying out twice for the work to be done.

Follow these simple steps and you should find your rental property is in top condition at all times.

Personal recommendations

There’s no substitute for personal recommendations when it comes to selecting a service. Whether you’re looking for a plumber or gardener, electrician or babysitter, it pays to know someone else has had a positive experience.

If you’re lucky enough to know other landlords in your local area then ask them which service they use, otherwise take a look online to see what people are saying about companies in your vicinity.

You can always use the powers of social media to get advice if you’ve tried all other channels. Put a shout out on Facebook or Twitter and you could find other landlords are willing to respond.

Don’t just consider big companies

There are some big cleaning companies out there, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider some of the smaller players as well. Local firms could be just as effective at carrying out the job, plus you’ll be supporting businesses in your region.

You might be lucky enough to come across a cleaning company that’s only just starting out, in which case you could be able to secure a fair price for their services. Everyone has to start somewhere!

Collect quotes

Once you’ve narrowed down your options it’s time to get together a variety of quotes. This will give you a better idea of how much you’ll be expected to pay for the service.

If some quotes come back significantly higher or lower than the others then ask yourself why – you need to be sure that the service you choose will meet all your requirements.

Offer a trial period

Don’t be afraid to recommend a trial period for your new cleaner, as this will give you an idea of how well they’re doing their job and if you want to continue with the service.

You don’t want to find yourself caught up in a lengthy contract if you’re not 100 per cent happy, so negotiate the terms before you sign on the dotted line.