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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    3

    Default May You Clean a Roommate's Room Before Showing It?

    My question involves a roommate in the State of: California.

    We've got a roommate moving out from a month-to-month rental. No problem so far, since he gave his notice in late July and is on the hook until Aug 31. The problem is that in the few months that he's been here he has managed to create an uncommon mess. Nothing has been damaged as far as I can tell, although he has been smoking and stinking things up contrary to our agreement, but the place is now strewn with trash, dirty dishes, kleenex, you get the picture. When he gave his notice I told him that he needed to clean the room since we need to begin showing it and it's unlikely anyone's going to want to move in given the current condition (or at least anyone that we really want to live with), but he has now apparently found his way to the tropics until the middle of August. Bizarre.

    So, my question is this: I know I can legally deduct for any necessary cleaning and/or repairs when he moves out, but what responsibility does he have for preparing the room sufficiently to be able to show it? Does his 30-day notice require acting in good faith to maintain the room during those final days?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: Clean Room Before Showing?

    Does his 30-day notice require acting in good faith to maintain the room during those final days?
    Unless the lease clearly stated that the place had to be spotless during his notice period, no, he can continue to act as if that is his home. Because, for all intents and purposes, it still is.

    (Completely unrelated, I adore your user name. Descriptive of your roommate's room?)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: May You Clean a Roommate's Room Before Showing It?

    Thanks, LRM. I was afraid of that. Oh, well.

    (So, I'm afraid I'm a bit thick. And you've got me curious. What's adorable about it? Actually, the name has no special significance other than the way the letters came together. Synchronicity?)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: May You Clean a Roommate's Room Before Showing It?

    Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings. On the bright side, he'll be gone in 30 days!

    "Klo" is German slang for "toilet". (Actually, the English equivalent is "sh*tter".) Usually refers to the throne itself, but in some areas it's also the general term for the room housing it.

    Seems appropos for complaining about one's roommate's housekeeping habits, no?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: May You Clean a Roommate's Room Before Showing It?

    Funny, that was overlooked in my German classes in college. It certainly is a propos. Fortunately, he's confined the squalor to his personal space. And I don't discount that in my assessment of this experience. It is without a doubt something I am thankful for. Looking for the silver lining, perhaps, but it's there nonetheless.

    Thanks again.

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