Cleaning costs incurred when moving out of a rental property are one of the expense items that most often lead to disputes. To prevent issues such as, "I thought it would be deducted from the security deposit, but I was billed extra" or "The amount is far too high," accurate knowledge and confirmation before signing the contract are indispensable. In this article, we organize the rules on who bears cleaning costs from the perspective of property management practice.
Who bears the cleaning cost at move-out?
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's Guidelines on Troubles and Restoration, the landlord generally bears the cost of restoring dirt and deterioration caused by ordinary use (natural wear and tear). However, damage caused by a tenant's negligence or intentional acts is borne by the tenant.
- Examples borne by the landlord: wallpaper yellowing over time, sun fading on tatami, natural scratches on flooring
- Examples borne by the tenant: scratches caused by dragging items during moving, scratches or odors caused by pets, stains or dirt left unattended
What is the difference between house cleaning and restoration?
These two are often confused, but they are clearly different.
- House cleaning: specialized cleaning of the kitchen, ventilation fan, bathroom, and similar areas. No matter how thoroughly the tenant cleans, it is common for professional cleaning to be carried out at move-out. As a rule, the cost is borne by the landlord (funded from the security deposit).
- Restoration: repairs that return damage caused by the tenant's intent or negligence to its original condition. This includes wallpaper replacement and flooring repair, and the cost is borne by the tenant.
When you receive an invoice, it is important to check the breakdown separately as "house cleaning costs" and "restoration costs".
How can you keep cleaning costs as low as possible?
Check the estimate and billing breakdown before moving out
When move-out costs are presented, be sure to request a detailed breakdown. Check market rates online for wallpaper replacement and flooring repair, and if the quoted amounts differ significantly, pointing that out may lead to a reduction.
Carry out routine cleaning and check the property at move-in and move-out
By recording the room's condition in photographs before moving in and before moving out, you can protect yourself against unfair charges. For property managers as well, maintaining a pre-move-in checklist is a basic step in preventing trouble.
Review the special contract terms before moving in
If the contract's special provisions state things like "a flat move-out fee of XX yen" or "cleaning costs are borne by the tenant," the obligation to pay arises as long as those provisions are valid. Carefully checking the special provisions before signing the contract is the best way to prevent trouble later on.
What are the risks of a zero-deposit rental?
Properties with no security deposit or key money can reduce initial costs, but they also carry the risk that move-out expenses must be paid entirely out of pocket. Without a security deposit, cleaning and repair costs must be paid from your own funds, which can lead to unexpectedly large expenses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q. Do I always have to pay the cleaning cost at move-out?
- A. If there are no special provisions in the contract and no soiling caused by the tenant's negligence, the landlord generally bears the cost (within the security deposit). Check the breakdown and raise an objection to any unfair charges.
- Q. What should I do if the move-out cost feels too high?
- A. Request a breakdown of the estimate and compare it against the Ministry's guidelines and market rates. Consulting a consumer affairs center can also be effective.
- Q. Are there still move-out costs for a zero-deposit property?
- A. Yes. Because there is no security deposit, cleaning and repair costs must be paid fully out of pocket, so it is necessary to plan ahead for move-out expenses.
- Q. Can I reduce the cost by cleaning it myself?
- A. Because house cleaning is generally entrusted to professionals, cleaning it yourself will not reduce the cost to zero. However, by cleaning dirt caused by the tenant's negligence, it is possible to reduce restoration costs.
