Tenent house is a disaster and I need to sell it?

Question

I am selling my house, listing it today. It has a tenant in it but she is out on Oct 1st. Here is my problem, it is SUCH a mess in there! I don't think anyone will want to buy it looking like that. But i really need to list it asap as our winter here in canada are freezing I dont want to worry about the heating konking out while there is no tenant and my plumbing freezing. Can I tell her to clean it? What if she doesn't? Then can I hire a maid service while she is still living there and take it out of her damage deposit? I just feel like going there and cleaning it myself jus so I can sell it easier!

Answer 1

Any of the possibilities you suggested are OK. You can tell her to clean it (may not happen, but worth a try), hire a maid service (that'll help, but may soon revert back to the way it looks now), or do it yourself (same pros and cons of a maid service).

Try talking to the tenant. Explain your situation. Perhaps offer her an incentive. Ask her to clean it, or ask her permission to bring in a maid service. Tell her that if you're able to sell it prior to October 1, you'll give her a $10 bonus for every day left on her lease after a contract is signed. So, for example, if you receive a contract on the property on September 1, there's 30 days left on her lease, so she gets a $300 bonus. September 15: 15 days left, so she gets a $150 bonus. You can play around with those numbers as appropriate.

I know it may irritate you to have to pay her just to incentivize her to keep the place presentable, but it'll save you money in the long run.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Offer her an incentive to keep it clean, like a return of her damage deposit.  Then check on her, alot.

I have shown some hideous properties, so I know what you are up against.  People remember the mess, not the house.  Savvy buyers can see passed that.  Fortunately, you are going to be rid of her soon.  Have your Realtor keep track of who is showing it so once she is out, they can view it again if they want.