Leave No Mess Behind – Why Leaving Your Old House in Good Shape Matters to You

Moving – there is always SO MUCH to worry about. Is everything packed properly? Will the movers be on time? Will the new place be ready? Where will the children stay during the move? Are we forgetting anything? At least you don’t have to worry about the state of the house that you are LEAVING behind? After all, that is the problem of the new owners, right? Wrong! How you leave your previous home is very important. Important enough to have possible financial and legal ramifications that can come back to haunt you like a ghost. Let’s talk about how to leave a house after you leave and why you should do so.

Check your purchase agreement again. You may find that you are obligated to clean up the home before you completely leave. Failing to do so could lead to a lawsuit or other issues. While it is unlikely that you would find yourself in court for failing to sweep up, why take that chance? Many home purchasers will expect the home to be “broom clean” when they take possession of a property. “Broom clean” simply means that the home has been cleared of all belongings and garbage and that the floors have been swept (or carpets have been vacuumed). Doing this simple task will fulfill your end of most purchase agreements. It is always a good idea to maintain a decent relationship with the new owners of your previous home. Maybe packages meant for your family will still be delivered to your old home; or perhaps you forgot something in the basement or garage. The new owners will be more inclined to help out if they are happy with the condition of the home when you left it. Finally, leaving a home in a clean state after moving is common decency. Nobody wants to go through all the trouble of packing and moving only to find a big mess once they get to their final destination. A little effort will go a long way.

So, what do you have to do to leave a home in “broom clean” condition? As it turns out, not a lot! It does not have to be a roof-to-basement scrub-down; just the basics:

  • Clear the entire house (including walls) of all personal property. If they didn’t buy it, don’t leave it!
  • Take out all the garbage.
  • Vacuum the floors and carpets.
  • Scrub the tubs, sinks, and bathrooms.
  • Wipe down the cabinets, cupboards and counters (watch for errant food particles).
  • Clean all the appliances that come with the house.

Understandably, you may not be in the mood to do any cleaning after a tough day of moving. Consider hiring a cleaning company to do it for you. Your moving company should be able to recommend one.

Looking for more tips and help with your move? Talk to us at Best Canadian Movers. With over 20 years of providing moving and storage services in Burlington and Toronto, Best Canadian Movers will help you with your moving and storage needs for every step of the way. Fully licensed, bonded, and insured, you will always feel that you property is being treated with the respect it deserves. Take a look around at our site for our services, testimonials, and some helpful moving tips Contact us today!

Best Canadian Movers is a fully licensed, bonded and insured moving company and our staff is well trained in the art of moving and to be tentative to your needs. Our fleet of moving trucks undergo inspection prior to every move and we not only meet, but exceed all necessary insurance requirements.