Avoiding end of tenancy cleaning mistakes is key to getting your bond back. This guide will cover the common mistakes tenants make and how to avoid them.
What is End of Tenancy Cleaning?
End of tenancy cleaning is a deep clean of a rental property before the tenant vacates. This is more than regular housekeeping and is to get the property back to its original condition, to the landlord’s expectations. A cleaning checklist is often followed to cover every area of the property, from deep cleaning carpets to sanitising bathrooms. This level of cleaning is important in competitive rental markets where many tenants are vying for properties and landlords have high standards.
The cleaning can be done by professional cleaners or well-prepared tenants who have the right tools and knowledge. Professional cleaning services often include house cleaning services, window cleaning, and carpet cleaning.
Common End of Tenancy Cleaning Blunders
Despite the best intentions, many tenants make the following common mistakes during the move-out cleaning process that can result in bond deductions.
Overlooking Hidden Areas
One of the most common mistakes tenants make is overlooking hidden areas during cleaning. It’s easy to miss spots under kitchen appliances, behind furniture and inside cupboards, but these areas can accumulate a lot of hidden dirt and grime.
Not Hiring Professional Carpet Cleaners
Many tenants think they can do carpet cleaning themselves, but landlords often require professional carpet cleaning to meet hygiene standards. Not arranging for professional carpet cleaning can result in extra charges or a failed inspection.
It’s important to understand that professional carpet cleaning (steam cleaning) is needed to remove deep seated carpet stains and get the carpets spotless.
Ignoring Outdoor Spaces
Outdoor areas are often overlooked during end of tenancy cleaning. However, cleaning these areas is important as they can affect the outcome of the landlord inspection. Tenants often forget to sweep outdoor spaces, remove cobwebs or tidy up debris.
Ensuring outdoor areas are clean and well-maintained is crucial for a good impression and positive inspection outcome, especially when there is visible dirt, making the property spotless.
Planning for End of Tenancy Cleaning
Planning is key to a successful end of tenancy cleaning. Proper planning involves reviewing the lease agreement to understand the specific cleaning requirements, creating a cleaning schedule and decluttering your personal belongings. A systematic approach to cleaning ensures every area of the property is covered and nothing is missed.
Discussing expectations with your landlord before the final inspection can mitigate potential issues. Understanding what your landlord expects can help you focus on the important areas and get the property spotless.
Creating a Cleaning Checklist
Creating a cleaning checklist is important to ensure all areas are covered and nothing is missed. A comprehensive checklist keeps the cleaning process organised.
Make sure to include often missed areas such as under kitchen appliances, behind furniture and inside cupboards to get a spotless finish.
Scheduling Your Tasks
Schedule your cleaning well in advance to manage your workload. Leaving it until the last minute can result in rushed cleaning and missed areas.
Declutter Before Cleaning
Decluttering before cleaning ensures a more efficient and thorough cleaning process. Remove all personal items and rubbish to allow deeper cleaning and avoid landlord complaints.
Organise your belongings into boxes or bags to streamline the cleaning process and make it easier to tackle each area of the property.
Focus on High Traffic Areas
Focusing on high traffic areas is key to passing the final inspection. Key areas inspected include bathrooms, kitchens and living spaces. To increase your chances of passing the inspection, prioritise these areas and get them thoroughly cleaned. Key takeaways include using heavy duty cleaners for tough stains and special tools for hard to reach areas, which can make a big difference.
Bathroom Deep Clean
Bathrooms need a deep clean, focus on grout, taps and drains to avoid issues during inspection. Key areas tenants often miss include mould, soap scum and water stains.
Use special cleaning products to remove mould and disinfect surfaces such as the bathtub, sink, toilet and tiles to get a spotless finish.
Kitchen Appliances and Surfaces
In the kitchen, clean all appliances, worktops and cupboards thoroughly. Dispose of perishable items and empty and clean the fridge. Deep cleaning involves meticulous cleaning of hidden areas, using heavy duty cleaning agents and special tools to get comprehensive coverage.
Clean windows and mirrors can also enhance the overall look of the kitchen.
Living Rooms and Bedrooms
Make sure to do the following in living rooms and bedrooms:
- Dust and clean all surfaces, including shelves and window sills.
- Inspect the walls for scuff marks.
- Look for any damages that need attention.
- Clean windows, including frames and sills, to get a clear view.
Use the Right Cleaning Supplies
Use the right cleaning supplies to get thorough cleaning results and prevent damage to surfaces. High quality cleaning products have more effective ingredients that can remove stains and dirt better than cheap ones. Using high quality cleaning supplies can prevent streaks, stains or residue.
Eco-friendly cleaning products provide a safer option for both surfaces and the environment, reducing chemical exposure. These products can be just as effective as traditional cleaners while minimising harm to surfaces and environmental impact.
Heavy duty cleaners should be used selectively to effectively combat tough stains, make sure to apply them correctly to avoid surface damage. Specialised tools such as extendable dusters and narrow vacuum attachments are crucial for cleaning hard to reach areas.
Eco-Friendly Products
Eco-friendly products are made from natural ingredients, reducing exposure to harmful chemicals for both the user and the environment. They can improve indoor air quality by minimising toxic fumes and allergens found in conventional cleaning agents.
Also, eco-friendly products often come in biodegradable packaging, promoting sustainable consumption.
Heavy Duty Cleaners for Tough Stains
Heavy duty cleaners should be used for tough stains like grease, mould or hard water deposits that regular cleaners can’t address. Make sure to consider the type of surface being cleaned to avoid damage.
Always test a small, inconspicuous area first before applying a heavy duty cleaner to the entire stain.
Tools for Hard to Reach Areas
Specialised tools such as extendable dusters and narrow vacuum attachments are essential for cleaning hard to reach areas. Using the right tools can ensure that no dirt or dust accumulates in tricky areas and overall cleanliness.
Hiring Professional Cleaning Services
Hiring professional cleaning services can increase the chances of getting a full bond refund. Engaging professional cleaners can also relieve the stress of moving out. Benefits of professional cleaning services include:
- Meeting the landlord’s high standards
- Making the property look its best
- Providing a higher quality of cleaning than DIY.
Professional cleaning companies:
- Include outdoor cleaning in their packages, saving you time and ensuring thorough cleaning.
- Offer competitive prices, making them affordable for renters.
- Help you save money by reducing the risk of losing a bond refund due to inadequate cleaning. Professional carpet cleaning is important, as many landlords require it for cleanliness and hygiene.
Choosing the Right Cleaning Service
When choosing a professional cleaning service, consider their reputation, services offered and pricing. Make sure they provide a comprehensive cleaning checklist and include outdoor areas if needed. Hiring professional help can also make your experience better.
This ensures all areas are thoroughly cleaned, meet landlord standards and get your bond back.
Cost vs. Benefits
Hiring professional cleaners can save you money by minimising potential deductions from the security deposit due to cleaning deficiencies. The cost of professional cleaning is often outweighed by the benefit of getting a full bond refund, and hiring professional help can make the outcome better.
Investing in professional cleaning reduces the risk of losing a full bond refund due to inadequate cleaning.
Pre-Inspection Preparation
Pre-inspection preparation involves:
- Thorough cleaning and organising the property to meet rental obligations.
- Cleaning a few days before handing over the keys allows for preparation and avoids last minute issues.
- Paying extra attention to bathrooms and kitchens, as these areas are often scrutinised during the final inspection, making sure they are spotless.
To do a self-inspection, consider the following steps:
- Use a detailed cleaning checklist to help you identify overlooked areas.
- Identify areas that need extra attention before the final inspection.
- Document the cleaning process with photos to serve as evidence if disputes arise.
- Fix any repairs to meet landlord expectations.
- Communicate with your landlord about specific cleaning expectations to avoid surprises during the inspection.
Extra Tips for a Smooth Move-Out
Ensuring the rental property is ready for the next tenant gets you your full bond back. Extra tips for a smooth move-out:
Review Lease
Check your lease for specific cleaning duties that must be done before you move out. Understanding your lease obligations can help avoid penalties or misunderstandings during the move-out process.
Cancel Utilities and Update Address
Notify your utility providers about your move to ensure timely disconnection or transfer of services to the new address.
Prepare Emergency Kit
An emergency kit is a must-have for moving day to handle unexpected events. Include essential documents, first aid supplies, non-perishable snacks and tools for any issues that may arise.
FAQs
What’s a common mistake with personal belongings when moving out?
Leaving personal belongings or rubbish behind is a common mistake when moving out. Make sure to remove all items to avoid issues.
What’s a critical area that needs thorough attention?
Bathroom is a critical area that needs thorough attention. Grout, taps and drains must be cleaned meticulously to prevent problems during inspections.
What’s the recommended approach for larger properties?
For larger properties, it’s recommended to hire professional cleaning companies to ensure thoroughness and attention to detail. This way, you get an effective and comprehensive cleaning.
What’s the biggest mistake tenants make with the timing of their cleaning?
Tenants make the biggest mistake by delaying their cleaning until the last minute. This often leads to rushed efforts and overlooked areas in the property. Plan and execute cleaning well in advance to ensure thoroughness and satisfaction.
How can tenants not miss important cleaning details?
Tenants can not miss important cleaning details by creating a cleaning checklist that covers every area of their home. This structured approach will help you stay clean and organised.