Cleanliness levels: how to talk about them honestly
“Clean” means different things to different people. One person means no food left out; another means a weekly deep clean. Ask about the kitchen, bathroom, trash, laundry, and clutter separately.
Describe what you actually do now, not what you hope to do in a new home. Agree on chores, frequency, supplies, and what happens when someone is away or overwhelmed. A rotating schedule works only if it is simple enough to follow.
Do not make cleanliness a moral test. The point is a house that feels usable to everyone. If expectations are far apart, better to know before signing a lease.