Expert Cleaning Tips for End of Lease Cleaning: What Landlords Expect
Moving out of a rented property can be an overwhelming experience, with so much to do in a short period. One of the most important tasks that tenants must carry out is move out cleaning. Typically, landlords require tenants to leave the property in the same condition as they found it. End of lease cleaning is a vital part of fulfilling this requirement. But what does it entail, and what should tenants do to meet their landlord's expectations? In this post, we'll discuss the top five things landlords expect from cleaning, based on expert opinions.
The Importance of End of Lease Cleaning
End of lease cleaning refers to the thorough cleaning of a property before tenants move out. The cleaning process aims to leave the property in immaculate condition, making it more appealing to future tenants. As such, bond cleaning is critical for two reasons:
1. It guarantees tenants receive their bond back: Most landlords require tenants to pay a security deposit or bond before moving in. The deposit is meant to cover any damage that tenants may cause to the property. End of lease cleaning can increase the chances of tenants receiving their bond back. If the landlord finds the property dirty, unkempt, or damaged, they may hold some part of the deposit, leaving the tenant with less money than they had initially budgeted for.
2. It ensures future tenants find the property in excellent condition: An immaculate and well-maintained property is more attractive to potential tenants. By leaving the property clean, tenants help the landlord to re-let it quickly, minimizing vacancy periods.
Therefore, tenants must take the bond back cleaning task seriously to preserve their bond and help the landlord maintain their property. Below are the top five things landlords expect from end of lease cleaning:
1. A Clean Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most critical areas in any home. Hence, landlords expect tenants to pay extra attention to its cleaning. Tenants must ensure that they clean every nook and cranny of the kitchen, from the stovetop to the refrigerator and the oven. Leaving grease stains, food particles, and other dirt in the kitchen is a sure way to lose your bond. Here is a checklist of kitchen items that tenants should clean during end of lease:
- Cabinets and drawers - Wipe down the exterior and interior surfaces of cabinets and drawers.
- Sink - De-clog and polish the sink and taps, and descale the areas surrounding the taps.
- Oven - Clean the oven racks, walls, door, and the stovetop.
- Refrigerator - Empty and clean all shelves and drawers of the fridge, defrost the freezer, and sanitize it.
- Dishwasher - Remove mildew and soap residue from the dishwasher, filters, and spray arm.
It is crucial to note that landlords may require tenants to have the kitchen appliances professionally cleaned. Therefore, it's advisable to seek deep cleaning services to ensure you meet your landlord's expectations.
2. Spotless Bathrooms
A bathroom is a place where hygiene matters the most. Hence, landlords expect tenants to make sure that the bathroom is left in a sparkling condition. Tenants are responsible for cleaning all items in the bathroom, including the tiles, showerheads, toilet bowls, bathtub, mirror, etc. Here's a bathroom cleaning checklist:
- Tiles - Scour and remove grime, mildew, and mould from the tiles, baseboards, and corners.
- Bathtub and shower - Scrub and rinse the surface and the drain holes, and remove soap deposits.
- Toilet - Sanitize the toilet, including the bowl, seat, lid, and base.
- Sink - Clean the sink, drain, and other accessories.
- Mirror - Wipe down the mirror and other glass surfaces using a microfiber cloth.
It's important to note that cleaning the bathroom requires special attention to detail. Tenants should ensure that no area is left uncleaned.
3. Clean Living Areas
The living areas consist of the lounge, dining room, and any other communal areas in the property. The living areas should be as clean and tidy as possible to provide a good impression to future tenants. Tenants should focus on vacuuming or mopping any dirt on the floors, wiping down furniture, dusting the shelves, and removing any cobwebs. Here's a cleaning checklist for the living areas:
- Floors - Sweep, vacuum, and mop the floors.
- Furniture - Dust and polish all surfaces, including tabletops, chairs, couch, etc.
- Walls - Wipe off any scuff marks or dirt on the walls.
- Windows - Clean the windows, sills, and screens.
- Curtains - Remove the curtains, and wash or dry clean them.
4. Carpet Cleaning
Most rental properties have carpets, and tenants are responsible for cleaning them before they move out. Landlords expect tenants to hire professional cheap end of lease cleaning Melbourne services to remove any stains or dirt on the carpets. Carpet cleaning services use specialized equipment and cleaning agents to get rid of allergens, dust mites, and bacteria. It's important to note that failure to clean the carpets correctly may result in the landlord holding back some part of the bond to clean the carpet.
5. Correctly Dispose of Any Waste
During the tenancy, tenants may accumulate unwanted items and waste. Landlords expect tenants to dispose of any rubbish correctly before they move out. The waste disposal process should be consistent with the local council's regulations. Tenants should ensure that they've correctly disposed of any hazardous items such as electrical appliances, batteries, or chemicals.
Conclusion
End of lease cleaning is a critical task that tenants must carry out before they vacate a rental property. It's an opportunity to leave the property in a clean and excellent condition, making it more attractive to prospective tenants and reduce the risk of losing your bond. Landlords expect tenants to clean thoroughly the kitchen, bathroom, living areas, carpets, and dispose of any waste correctly. Failure to meet these expectations may result in the landlord withholding some part of the bond. It's advisable to engage the services of professional cleaners to ensure that you meet your landlord's expectations.
