Ensure Your Rental Property is Cleaner Than Ever with this End-of-Lease Cleaning Checklist
Any person who has rented knows how crucial it is to leave a rental property in the same condition they found it in.
Whether it’s an entire wall or an entire house, deep cleaning a leased property is mandatory for every tenant residing in NSW.
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What Does End-of-Lease Cleaning Mean?
As per the Fair Trading NSW regulation, tenants must leave the property in the same condition it was in when they started renting, including its cleanliness.
Once the tenant has moved out at the end of the lease term, deep cleaning and sanitization are deemed essential to getting your bond back. A bond is the security deposit given to the property owner or landlord at the beginning of the lease.
Once it is submitted to the Department of Fair Trading NSW, the rental bond can only be released once the tenancy comes to an end. Property managers can also claim the tenant’s bond if the rented space has been damaged or not been cleaned properly.
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Is End-of-Lease Cleaning a Legal Obligation?
According to Residential Tenancies Act, the guidelines state that a rented property must be cleaned, sanitized, and fit for living at the end of the lease.
In case a tenant refuses to clean properly or to contract lease cleaners, the property owner reserves the right to use the bond money to return the property to its original condition.
Property managers also reserve the right to take legal action against tenants if their housing unit is considerably damaged or inhabitable.
Standard Cleaning vs. End of Lease Cleaning
It is important that you prepare the rented property for a final inspection with an ‘end of Lease Clean’.
Standard cleaning will only rid your home of dust and dirt, but end-of-lease cleaning is a deep clean of all your rooms – inside and out.
It includes all sorts of tasks, such as cleaning inside cabinets, washing your walls, skirting, kitchen and bathroom cleaning, outdoor, gardens and pool areas, and more.
Since your bond is dependent on this, it’s necessary to use proper cleaning materials and agents to remove marks and build-up from living areas and surfaces.
While standard cleaning is part of daily maintenance, bond cleaning is only performed when a tenant has moved out of the leased property. You cannot schedule or complete an end-of-lease cleaning while the property is still occupied.
It helps secure the rental bond
At the start of a lease agreement, it’s usual practice for property managers to retain a specific amount (usually the first month’s rent) as a security deposit.
But before you end your contract and retrieve the bond, you must check whether the rented property is in appropriate condition.
The bond cleaning clause mandates tenants to ensure the same; rented property must be in the same condition it was at the time of occupancy.
For this reason, if you are not confident that you can clean the property as well as it should be, you should hire lease cleaners to deep clean the property and ensure it’s suitable for future habitation.
However, in case tenants fail to follow such mandates, the landlord has the right to use the bond money (partial or completely) to get repairs and cleaning done.
Standard cleaning will only rid your home of dust and dirt, but deep cleaning a leased property is both vigorous and time-consuming.
It includes all sorts of practices, such as vacuuming your inside cabinets, wall washing, kitchen and bathroom cleaning, and other such procedures.
Since a security deposit is dependent on this, it’s necessary to use extensive cleaning agents to remove marks from living areas and surfaces.
While standard cleaning is part of daily maintenance, bond cleaning is only performed when a tenant has to move out of leased property.
But you cannot schedule the end of lease cleaning for a rented property while a tenant and their belongings are still present in the vicinity.
Cost of End of Lease Clean Process
Many factors determine your final end of lease cleaning quote though it mostly depends on the size and type of property. Depending on whether it’s a studio apartment or a 1/2/3 bedroom home, you can figure out your cost with an expert.
Another factor that affects the cost of cleaning is the team assigned to do the job. Based on the scope of work, you can hire reliable lease cleaners for different tasks, such as cleaning the air conditioners or performing pest control.
The number of tasks and the required skills to perform such tasks also affect the final price of a bond cleaning process. For instance, if you want to steam clean your carpets or upholstery, the price will be higher compared to a standard service.
Once you identify the spaces that need cleaning, it’s easier to determine the cost. Sometimes it makes more sense to combine services than book them separately. This does depend on the condition of the property and its current state.
End of Lease Cleaning Checklist
It’s common for tenants to miss cleaning small spaces like light bulbs, window blinds, ceiling fans, doorknobs, baseboards, and other dryer surfaces.
Dirty spots and burn marks can cost tenants a fortune, especially when the amount is deducted from the security deposit.
Regardless of property size and scope of cleaning, here’s our end of lease cleaning checklist for an effective deep cleanse.
Exterior Cleaning Tips
- Clear out plant debris and scraps from the verandah, patio, or the lawn
- Remove dust and cobwebs from outdoor furniture and window sills
- Take care of the lawn by trimming the edges and removing weeds
- Remove pet litter and other waste materials from your outdoor space
- Remove scattered leaves and foliage from the swimming pool surface
- Clear out the compost bin and letter box and sweep the driveway
- Ensure your outdoor lighting is clean and in working condition
- Remove oil stains and dirt from the garage floor, doors, and walls
- Empty out all household bins and remove rubbish from trash cans
Interior Cleaning Tips
- Clean and empty out cupboards, shelves, wardrobes and drawers
- Check if all light switches and fittings are working properly
- Wipe clean walls, window ledges, skirting boards, and picture rails
- Sanitize window sills, fly screens, and sliding doors with cleaners
- Remove dust from air conditioners, cleaning vents, and dry filters
- Clear out dust, dirt, and cobwebs from high and low corners
- Clean ceiling fan blades, light bulbs, door knobs, and other hardware
- Remove, wash, and dry clean curtains before hanging them again
- Remove any traces of nicotine or cigarette odour from the property
- Mop floors, walls, front door, and window tracks with a damp cloth
Kitchen Cleaning Tips
- Clean oven glass and walls with oven cleaner, including the grill and trays
- Use organic mixtures to remove dirt and grime from stoves and countertops
- Ensure the kitchen has proper ventilation and overhead lighting for cooking
- Remove food debris from plugs, sinkholes, and taps to avoid any clogging
- Clean dishwashers and its components, such as doors and filters
- Sanitize all surface areas, including countertops and benchtops
- Clean your refrigerator and freezer once you’ve emptied out everything
- Schedule oven cleaning weekly with the help of a cleaning professional
Bathroom & Laundry Cleaning Tips
- Sanitize bathroom flooring, showers, basins, and toilet seats with disinfectant
- Remove residue from showerheads by soaking the nozzle in vinegar overnight
- Clean glass walls and shower doors with a paste of baking soda and vinegar
- Ensure fixtures and other components are free of soap scum and mildew
- Remove mould from tile grout, walls, and the ceiling using soapy water
- Clean mirrors, towel rails, bathtub, and other fixtures with a damp cloth
- Check the performance of the hot water system by hiring a professional
Walls & Floors Cleaning Tips
- Identify and spot clean scuff marks and oil marks from walls and floors
- Use a warm solution of sugar and soap to remove extensive scuff marks
- Vacuum and steam clean your upholstery like the living room lounger
- Dust and clean the areas behind appliances and other heating elements
How long does bond cleaning take for a final clean?
An end of lease cleaning project can range anywhere from 3 to 8 hours, depending on the size of the property and the scope of cleaning. The number of lease cleaners you hire also impacts the cost and turnaround period.
Naturally, a cleaning project will take longer when you’ve added a few extra tasks in the pipeline. For instance, upholstery cleaning, vacuuming, and window cleaning are some services you can opt for in a deep cleaning process.
The number of lease cleaners you hire also affects the amount of time it takes to finish a bond cleaning project. While most standard jobs take up to 2 to 3 professionals, others may require more, especially if it’s a large house.
Key Takeaways
- End-of-lease cleaning is crucial for getting your bond back and involves a comprehensive deep clean of the rental property.
- Legal obligations require the property to be cleaned and sanitized, meeting the condition it was in at the start of the lease.
- The process includes extensive interior and exterior cleaning, from dusting and vacuuming to garden and pool area maintenance.
- The cost varies based on property size and cleaning scope, with additional services affecting the final price.
- Proper end-of-lease cleaning ensures the property is ready for the final inspection, helping secure the return of the rental bond.
Reinforce End of Lease Cleaning Standards
End of lease cleaning ensures a rented space is in tip-top shape.
Though it’s a legal obligation, end of lease cleaning helps you get your bond back from a landlord.
But deep cleaning a rental to get your security deposit back is no easy feat. Sometimes you are better off hiring cleaning professionals to get the job done.
At Investment Services, our team can deliver intelligent and effective advice on end of lease cleaning processes.
We can simplify all regulations related to leasing a property and find a suitable solution as per your needs.
Our leasing consultants can guide you through different stages of your tenancy, ensuring a professional end to all your cleaning problems.
