Hidden Areas Tenants Often Miss During Bond Cleaning

Preparing a rental property in NSW is beyond basic dusting, sweeping and mopping. Tenants often face the repercussions of substandard cleaning, and end up losing their hard earned bond money (equal to four weeks’ rent). Whether you are moving out of your tenancy for the first time or have experienced it before, planning well in advance can make all the difference.

Unfortunately, many renters, at times unknowingly, miss dirt laden areas during bond cleaning. Since landlords and property managers conduct a rigorous rental property inspection before releasing the bond, minor cleaning oversights can lead to disputes and disagreements.

In this article, we dive into the top hidden areas tenants often miss when preparing a rental property for the final inspection and share advice on how to clean them. Make sure you follow a proper cleaning checklist and adhere to set cleaning standards to impress your fussy landlord.

Let’s Get Started!

1. What do NSW Tenancy Laws Say about Bond Cleaning?

Under the Residential Tenancy Laws in NSW, tenants/renters are responsible for returning a rental home or apartment in a reasonably clean state, minus normal wear and tear, before moving out. Restoring the property to its original state at the start of the lease is the ultimate goal to pass your rental inspection.

When you hire professionals for a guaranteed end of lease cleaning Sydney, you can expect meticulous and spotless results. They follow a pre-approved cleaning checklist, covering every nook and cranny of the premises for a hassle free move out.

However, leaving behind dirt or dust can lead to partial or full bond deductions. That’s why it is good to follow a top to bottom cleaning approach to clean every inch of the property.

Make sure you don’t miss the following hidden areas during bond cleaning.

2. Forgetting to Clean HVAC Air Ducts

There is no denying that HVAC air ducts are the unsung heroes of any home or office. They work tirelessly to circulate air, keep you cosy, and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. But here’s the catch! If you don’t clean them regularly, they could do more harm than good. Dust laden can wreck indoor air quality while contributing to a musty smell. That’s one of the reasons why landlords thoroughly check vents/ducts and filters during the final rental inspection.

To clean dirty ducts, first remove the covers and then submerge them hot water and vinegar solution for half an hour. Also, vacuum the ductwork and crannies with a long handled brush. Wipe down the crannies and clean the filters.

Tip: Replace the filters if required to impress your landlord.

3. Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures

A real estate agent instantly fails your bond clean if he/she see a layer of dust on the ceiling fan blades or cobwebs on the light fixtures. If you are skipping these areas due to access restrictions, use a telescopic duster and wipe down the fan blades and light fixtures.

You can also use a step stool or ladder to access ceiling fan blades. Glide in an old pillowcase and slide out carefully to catch the dust without letting it fall everywhere. For delicate bulbs and other parts of light fixtures, use a wipe down with a microfibre cloth dampened in a white vinegar and warm water solution. Let it dry and impress your landlord.

4. Window and Door Tracks

Let’s face it! These are one of those hidden spots that tend to harbour gritty grime and contaminants. This can cause pests, ruining the hygiene levels of your rental home. Plus, landlords check door and window tracks before passing the final rental inspection.

To get into those compact areas, use an old toothbrush or a crevice brush attachment when vacuuming. For stubborn stains, end of lease cleaners Sydney prefer using a white vinegar solution before scrubbing with a brush. Make sure you book a cleaning service in advance before your final move out.

5. Refrigerator Coil: The Most Obvious Hidden Spot

Cleaning the inside and outside of your refrigerator won’t be enough to impress your landlord. Dirt laden and greasy coils can downgrade your appliance's performance, its lifespan, while increasing energy consumption and your electricity bills.

First things first! Remove your large fridge from the wall, then gently sweep and vacuum the coils. Always use a microfibre cloth to achieve spotless results.

6. Neglecting Oven Interiors

Did you know that the majority of tenants in NSW lose their bond because of a dirty oven? People often forget to clean it from the inside, where it usually harbours lethal germs, unpleasant odours, and mould spores. Have a look at an oven cleaning guide:

• Remove trays and racks and soak them in hot, soapy water for 20 minutes.
• Wipe down the interiors to dislodge food crumbs and other loose particles using a damp cloth. Do not clean the heating elements.
• Coat your oven with a baking soda and warm water paste and leave it for 10 to 20 minutes.
• Next, spray the vinegar solution. This creates a fizz when in contact with baking soda, helping you easily dislodge caked on grease, grime, and carbon deposits.
• Scrub with a sponge
• Wipe down with a clean cloth and dry completely.
• Scrub the soaked racks, rinse and re attach
• Wipe down the outside of your oven, including the glass door, handles and control panels.

7. Behind the Heavy Appliances and Furniture

Dust, cobwebs, pet hair and gunk love to hide behind or underneath the sofa, washing machine or other appliances. Of course, cleaning a furnished rental property than an unfurnished is challenging, but paying attention to these areas can help you pass the inspection.

You can use a vacuum cleaner with a long extendable brush to clean the area. If you are hiring experts for a quality end of lease cleaning Sydney, ensure you remove all furniture pieces and other personal belongings to access dirt and grime effectively.

8. Curtains and Blinds

Believe it or not! Dust tends to accumulate on both fabric and slatted window treatments. Do not ignore these areas to secure your hard earned bond. Curtains can be cleaned in a washing machine, while blinds need to be vacuumed and wiped down with non toxic cleaning products.

Spray mild soap and warm water onto each slat, and gently wipe down from the outside edge inward to outward to dislodge stubborn gunk and mould.

9. Baseboards and Skirting Boards

Baseboards, undeniably, collect dust particles, scuff marks and pet hair, making your home look dull and dingy. It is one of the most hidden areas, but it can decide the fate of your bond.

Ensure you thoroughly clean them with a damp cloth. Use a castile soap solution and warm water, and magic erasers can do wonders in removing scuff marks.

10. Bathroom and Kitchen Grout Lines

Cooking grease, soap scum, moisture, and grime tend to cling to the tiny grout lines in your bathroom and kitchen. The dull and dingy grout can attract lethal germs and mould, leading to bond deductions.

You can use hydrogen peroxide for mould stains and baking soda to tackle grease. Apply the solution and scrub with a soft bristled brush. Gently clean and rinse the area before you wipe it dry.

Infographic On Most Overlooked Areas to Clean At the End of Tenancy

Wrapping Up

Losing hard earned bond money because of these hidden spots can be extremely frustrating, even after a lot of scrubbing and mopping. So, it is good to include these areas in your customised checklist to tackle dirt and grime from every possible area for a streamlined rental inspection.