Moving out of a rental property can be stressful, especially when you have to ensure that the vacated house is meeting the cleaning requirements set up by the landlord. Making sure that the property is returned to its original state (similar to when it was first received) is crucial for reclaiming the bond deposit. Failing to do this will result in penalties on your bond or even legal disputes with the landlord. To avoid all this, some tenants opt for hiring expert cleaning services while others prefer to exert a significant amount of effort to meet the cleaning standards themselves.
This article will outline what is expected of an end of tenancy cleaning and cover all the key areas that require attention before handing over the property. From general cleaning tasks to deep cleaning requirements in areas like the bathrooms and kitchens, it will explore everything that the landlords and property agents typically look at during the final inspection.
Whether you’re hiring End of Lease Cleaning Sydney experts or attempting to tackle the job yourself, understanding the standards expected will help you in getting the desired results. Let’s start.
1. General Cleaning Expectations
End of tenancy cleaning is more than routine housekeeping, is a more thorough task that requires ridding the property of all stains, dust, dirt and grime. Everything from walls and floors to skirting boards and ceilings require a good cleaning. All marks and cobwebs need to be removed; the light switches, door handles and other frequently touched surfaces need to be sanitised; all windows need to be cleaned (inside and out); and all shelves and countertops need to be wiped down. If the floors happen to be carpeted, professional steam cleaning may be required or even expected if it is specifically mentioned in the lease agreement.
2. Kitchen Cleaning Requirements
The kitchen is one of the most important areas during end of tenancy cleaning. Landlords want tenants to leave the appliances, cabinets and countertops in spotless condition, while the oven, stovetop and range hood are expected to be degreased and scrubbed thoroughly. The fridge and freezer should be emptied out, defrosted and cleaned both inside & out. For cupboards and drawers, remove any crumbs or stains; for sinks and taps, descale them and clean the grout in between all the tiles. Finally, the floors need to be mopped and swept while any remaining grease or food residues need to be eliminated from the home. Hiring the pros for this detailed end of lease cleaning in Sydney will give a lot of relief.
3. Bathroom and Laundry Deep Clean
Bathrooms require a very detailed deep clean to remove all the soap scum, mould and limescale it tends to accumulate. Here, tenants will need to ensure that the sinks, showers, bathtubs and toilets are all scrubbed and disinfected; shower screens and mirrors – polished and streak-free; any mould and mildew in the grout, eliminated. If the laundry area falls within the lease agreement terms, the washing machine, dryer and sink need to be cleared of lint and other dirt, and the floors must be mopped. In case of any built-in storage, wipe it all down.
4. Carpet and Floor Cleaning
Floors play a big role in the overall aesthetic of a home. But rentals differ in the type of flooring used. If the floors are carpeted, professional steam cleaning may be required; in case of wood, tile or laminate, they must be swept, mopped and any scuff marks or stains need to be removed. Sometimes, vacuuming alone is not sufficient for getting the deep-seated dirt and stains out. Hence, for quality end of lease cleaning in Sydney, many tenants choose to let the professionals handle the issues of the carpet, as it assures that they are meeting the compliance requirements of the lease agreement.
5. Walls, Doors and Windows
Some of the common concerns during an end of tenancy cleaning include things like scuff marks, fingerprints and smudges or stains on walls. While the minor ones can be wiped off, others may need to be repainted depending on the lease conditions. Any nails or hooks that were not there before your tenancy need to be removed and the holes need to be patched up. Doors with their handles and frames need to be dusted down, windows must be washed on both sides (wherever possible) without streaking, curtains and blinds too need to be cleaned depending (the cleaning method depending on the type of material it’s made out of).
6. Outdoor Areas and Final Touches
If your rental also consists of outdoor spaces like gardens, patios or balconies – these areas, too, need a thorough cleaning. Any rubbish need to be removed, the decking and tiles need to be swept and cleaned and the gardens need to be maintained either by mowing the lawn or trimming the hedges (if outlined in the lease agreement). For the final touches, make sure that the property is free from any lingering odours, the air vents are dust-free, and all light bulbs are in good working condition. Before the final inspection takes place, it’s always a good idea to do a final walkthrough of the property to check for any missed spots since this will help prevent any disputes from occurring later on.
Tip: once everything is completed, document it and take photographs as evidence of the work done.
Expectations From an End of Tenancy Clean
Wrapping Up
Understanding what is expected from an end of tenancy cleaning is essential for getting your full bond money back. If you plan the process effectively and hire the pros for the job, you can rest assured that you will meet all the checkboxes of the final inspection. So, good luck and happy cleaning!