End Of Lease Cleaning Checklist
Moving out of a rental property can be a stressful process, but ensuring a thorough end-of-lease clean is crucial for the return of your full deposit.
We’ll look at the importance of end-of-lease cleaning, provide actionable tips, and guide you through the household cleaning process to help you leave your rental property in pristine condition.
This is not only useful for renters but also for prospective landlords wishing to rent out a property or room – ensuring your property is provided clean and undamaged to future tenants means you can expect it left in tip-top condition at the end of the tenancy.
Overview
End of Lease Cleaning
Why is end-of-lease cleaning necessary?
Can an end-of-lease clean affect your rental history?
Can a landlord take your bond for cleaning expenses?
Tips for a Successful End-of-Lease Clean
Get Professional Help
End-of-Lease Cleaning
Why is end-of-lease cleaning necessary?
End-of-lease cleaning is not just a courtesy; it’s a contractual obligation outlined in your lease agreement. Property managers and landlords expect tenants to return the property in the same condition it was in at the beginning of the lease. Failing to do so can result in deductions from your bond.
Can an end-of-lease clean affect your rental history?
Think of the end-of-lease cleaning as your final opportunity to make a positive impression. A clean and well-maintained property not only meets your contractual obligations but also leaves a lasting impression on the property manager, which will help if you intend to seek a new rental.
Can a landlord take your bond for cleaning expenses?
Landlords can claim money from your residential bond amount for cleaning costs should the rental not be left in the condition it was when the lease began.
The landlord cannot specify how the property is to be cleaned by the tenant, so the tenant can choose whether to clean the property themselves or to hire a professional cleaning service to conduct an end-of-lease clean.
Tips for a Successful End-of-Lease Clean
Moving is a great opportunity to declutter before moving house. Getting furniture and boxes out of the way is the easiest way to then get started on the move-out cleaning.
By following this downloadable room-by-room end-of-lease cleaning guide, and ensuring all the tasks that apply are completed, you’ll increase your chances of receiving your full deposit back., Plus you will maintain a good relationship with the property manager from the real estate company who can provide a reference for future leases.
Download your free end-of-lease cleaning checklist
Having the right cleaning supplies makes the job a lot easier
Before you get stuck into cleaning, make sure you have everything you need to complete the job:
- All-purpose cleaner
- Bleach
- Window cleaner
- Microfiber cloths
- Mop and bucket
- Vacuum cleaner
- Scrub brushes
- bin bags
Document your end-of-lease clean
Take photographs of each cleaned room as proof of the condition you have left the property. These can then be compared with the photos the property manager would have on file of the property when the lease began.
Double-check repairs
Address any necessary repairs, including where pictures may have been hung, as the landlord can detract from your bond to address repair costs for damage caused by the tenant.
Clean up the outside of the property
When moving out of a rental, don’t forget the exterior spaces. The garden should be left in good order, green waste should be cleaned up and the garage and shed cleaned out and left in the same condition as when you moved in. If you’ve taken photos from when you first moved in, a good guide is to leave everything in a slightly better condition!
Get Professional Help
If the task seems overwhelming or you lack the time, consider hiring professional cleaners. They have the expertise and equipment to ensure every nook and cranny is spotless, potentially saving you time and stress.
This type of professional end-of-lease clean is conducted after the property is vacated for the best results, once the furniture is removed to expose those hard-to-reach places.
Clean up made easy with a skip bin
It is important to note that rubbish and furniture cannot be left on the property, make sure you clear it out before giving back the keys.
If you have a lot of items to remove it can be time-efficient to hire a skip for end-of-lease and simply fill it with anything you won’t be keeping. The skip will then be picked up and removed for you, saving you a trip to the tip.
Get in touch to learn more about our end-of-lease skip hire options for efficienct, practical property clean-up (Check out what can you put in a mini skip if you’ve just got a bit of rubbish to move)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do tenants have to clean outside windows?
Window cleaning is typically the responsibility of the tenant, unless it is unreasonable to expect a tenant to do so. For example, where there are high windows that the tenant cannot reach without special equipment, like in a high-rise apartment building.
Do you have to professionally clean at the end of a tenancy?
No, the landlord can only request that the rental be left in the same condition as documented at the start of the tenancy. The landlord cannot request that tenants use a professional cleaning service.
What is the difference between end-of-tenancy cleaning and regular cleaning?
End-of-tenancy cleaning takes place when you have moved out of the rental. The only belongings left at the property should be those that came with the tenancy.
Although it is up to you whether you clean the property yourself or hire someone to do it for you, a professional cleaning service can help ensure you get your security deposit returned in full – keep the receipt to provide to the real estate agent.
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