Home and Property Cleaning Guide for Somerville, MA

A typical Somerville triple decker was built around the early twentieth century, with one unit per floor, front and back porches stacked on each level, a shared basement and a small yard. Many have been converted into condos, others are owner occupied with tenants upstairs, and many are full rentals.

Older homes like these come with features that take time to clean: painted wood trim, radiators, original hardwood floors, built in china cabinets, narrow back staircases and kitchens that were remodeled at different times. Dust settles on trim and radiators, and steep stairs mean everything has to be carried by hand. A cleaning plan that works for a newer suburban home often underestimates the time a Somerville unit needs.

With Tufts University on the Medford and Somerville line and a large population of young professionals, Somerville sees a lot of leases end and start around September 1. Neighborhoods like Davis Square, Teele Square, Ball Square and Union Square fill with moving trucks, furniture on the curb and units that need to be cleaned between tenants in a very short window.

For landlords, the key is planning. Book move out cleaning before the rush, ideally for the days between when one tenant leaves and the next arrives. For tenants, a thorough move out clean with dated photos is the best way to show the unit was left in good condition. Any furniture or boxes left behind should be removed before cleaning starts, so the team can reach every corner.

Parking is part of the plan, too. Somerville uses resident permit parking on many streets and requires permits for moving trucks in some situations, so check the City of Somerville website for current rules on temporary parking and moving permits before your move day.

In a two family or triple decker, the basement is often shared by every unit. Over the years it fills with old furniture, bikes, boxes left by former tenants, broken appliances and paint cans. Shared space also means nobody feels responsible for it.

A basement cleanout clears what does not belong, then the space is cleaned and organized so each unit knows what is theirs. Older Somerville basements also tend to be damp, so cleaning and airing them out regularly helps with musty smells. Keeping storage off the floor on shelves makes a big difference in a space that can see moisture.

Our heavy services crew handles basement cleanout, cleaning and organizing, so the space goes from cluttered to usable in one visit, depending on the size of the job.

Stacked porches are one of the best parts of Somerville living, and one of the easiest places for dirt to build up. Pollen, leaves, bird droppings and city grime collect on porch floors and railings. Power washing porches, steps, walkways and siding once or twice a year keeps them looking cared for, especially on rental properties where curb appeal helps attract good tenants.

Somerville yards are small, but street trees and neighboring trees drop a lot of leaves in the fall. Leaves pile up against fences, in corners and in gutters. On a three story house, clogged gutters can overflow down the siding and onto the porches below, so a fall gutter cleaning after the leaves drop is a smart habit. A fall yard cleanup clears leaves and debris before the first snow.

Winter brings its own routine. On a lot with multiple units, it should be clear who clears the walkways, steps, porches and driveway. Many owners include snow responsibilities in leases, and some prefer to hire it out so tenants and owners are not arguing at 7am after a storm.

The City of Somerville has rules for clearing sidewalks after snowfall and for snow emergency parking, and these can change, so check the city website each season for the current requirements. Planning ahead, with a snow removal service lined up before the first storm, saves a lot of stress.

Spring: deep clean the inside of each unit, power wash porches and walkways, and clean out the basement after winter. Summer: book move out cleaning early for the September turnover and clear junk from yards and storage. Fall: clean gutters after the leaves drop and schedule a yard cleanup. Winter: keep a snow removal plan in place and keep regular house cleaning going while everyone spends more time indoors.

JM Cleaning and Services works in Somerville and across Greater Boston, Monday through Saturday from 8am to 5pm. Our home cleaning team handles house cleaning, deep cleaning and move out cleaning, and our heavy services crew handles basements, yards, junk removal, gutters, power washing and snow removal. For a free quote, text or WhatsApp two or three photos to (978) 227-7632. We speak English, Portuguese and Spanish.