To Clean Or Not To Clean?

Cristy

There's no question - we're leaving this house in tip top condition when we move, and we have been assured that our vendors are getting a cleaning firm to give our new home a good once over. The house is already empty and when we went there we found it a bit grubby and dusty, but nothing too disgusting. Still - with a toddler in tow it will be a stressful day anyway so we are quite looking forward not to have to clean up as well.

Question: how do you make sure the house is cleaned properly if both you and your buyer are moving on the same day? I would like to get our lovely cleaning lady to come over and clean before our buyer moves in, but I am not sure about the logistics... maybe she could arrive as we're leaving and just pull the door behind her when she's done?

scaryfairy

I would say its best to leave your house as clean as possible. My OH is in the army and we live in married quarters so every time we move (6 times in 9 years!) we have to leave the quarter spotless! Mind you I have moved into some quarters after workmen have been in and they have been filthy but when we moved out the quarter still had to be completely spotless, ready for a family to march in! The estate wardens were even more fussy when we lived in Germany - and the houses there have cellers and attics (and big gardens). Everything has to be really clean otherwise you get fined!! Thankfully we've passed all march outs so far!
I think its a matter of pride too - even when I rented I always cleaned the flat/house when I moved out (mainly to get the deposit back but also for pride!).
I think that leaving a bottle of bubbly and/or cards, flowers, welcome kits is a wonderful idea and it would really leave a good impression of you on the new owners.

novice_money_saver_2

podsbird wrote:

I always cleaned the properties I left because it seemed grim and scummer not too - unfortunately 2 houses I moved into did not feel the need to do anything more than empty the bin for me.
One had an oven so foul I am not sure how they escaped major food poisoning, and the other left me an interesting present in the gas meter box - not sure I should reveal what is was as this is a fmily site, but everyone I tell cringes!!

GO ON - TELL US!

haveitall

Bumpers wrote:

Im not sure you should clean it from top to bottom with a fine tooth comb, just a quick wipe down and hoover through..
Everyone always cleans the house when they first move in anyway! :rolleyes:

So yes, clean it so its tidy for those to move in, but not so it passes a health inspection!!
:wave:
Good Luck with the move!
We're just looking into moving and buying our first home x
Hope everything moves swiftly and smoothly for you x
Bumpers x

Thanks Bumpers!

ayshen

I have always scrubbed my houses before I left them. And I have always found the house I have moved into in a mess and filthy. Many people just have no consideration for those moving into their house. I take pride in how I leave my home for the next owner and I know I can look them in the eye if I ever bump into them.

Dora_the_Explorer_5

Maybe we should hold out for the cross posting of the buyer who thought the house was filthy and the vendor who believed their cleaning standards were beyond reproach :rotfl:

gillycat

Even though my purchaser really messed me around, I made sure the house was clean. Even if you never see these people again, do you really want to be thought of as dirty? Besides, what goes around, comes around.

Wickedkitten

We had to go to the house that we are buying yesterday as the builder was going round to get us a quote on some work that needs done, and whilst I was in the kitchen I thought about this thread and decided to look in the cooker that is being left.



lovely

fannyadams

I think my obsesion with clean houses (moving in and out) stems form my life as a squaddie brat and then as a squaddie.
I remember all the women in our row (street) used to come to the house of theone who was marching out and help to clean the house form top to bottom and woe betide you if you stood still. It took an army of about 10 women to do the house from top (attic/loft) to bottom (garden shed/out buildings/garage).
As a kid you got took away by another 'auntie' and looked after til yer ma' was ready to chuck you in the car.
for ANYONE who has EVER moved house I recommend you get a look at this film:
(Warren Mitchell at his best)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004CIGT/qid=1144921908/sr=1-10/ref=sr_1_2_10/202-5736424-5638269
shame it's not on DVD.

Murphy_The_Cat

Woby_Tide wrote:

they just wee on all your post before forwarding it...;)

or more likely don't forward it at all.

MTC