Moving Out of a Rental Property: Essential Cleaning Tips for Bond Recovery
Moving out of a rental property and aiming to secure your bond back? It is critical to thoroughly clean the entire property to enhance your chances of success. Here are our expert tips for tackling the ‘big clean’.
As discussed in our previous article, ‘What is the definition of clean’, perceptions of cleanliness can vary significantly. When vacating a rented property, your tenancy agreement will likely stipulate that the property must be returned in a clean state. This generally entails a much more comprehensive clean than what is typically performed on a weekly or even monthly basis. Achieving the level of cleanliness required by the landlord or their agent can be daunting, especially if you are not accustomed to moving in and out of rental accommodations frequently.
While you can certainly undertake this task yourself, engaging a professional cleaning service can provide significant benefits. A professional cleaning company will not only execute the cleaning rigorously but will also possess a clear understanding of the standards required to meet compliance expectations. This can save you considerable time and effort.
Elite Cleaning Checklist
If you choose to proceed with a DIY approach, here is our comprehensive checklist to ensure nothing is overlooked:
Floors
- Carpets and floors cleaned (some landlords may specify professional carpet cleaning).
Walls
- Spot clean walls.
- Dust skirting boards.
- Clean all mirrors.
- Dust air conditioning vents.
- Clean doors, door frames, and insect screens.
- Wash windows and windowsills.
- Dust and clean curtains/blinds.
Ceilings
- Remove cobwebs.
- Clean light fittings.
- Dust ceiling fans.
- Dust air conditioning vents.
Kitchen
- Oven and cooker fully cleaned.
- Range hood and filters cleaned.
- Clean cupboards inside and out.
- Sink and taps scrubbed.
- Wall tiles cleaned.
- White goods (e.g., refrigerator, dishwasher) must be cleaned inside and out, switched off at the wall, with doors left open. Ensure all areas under and behind these items are also cleaned.
- All items must be grease-free.
Bathroom
- Bath and shower scrubbed clean.
- Grouting thoroughly cleaned.
- Plugs and plugholes cleaned.
- Toilet cleaned completely inside and outside.
Laundry
- Washing machine and dryer (including filter) wiped clean.
- Sink and plughole cleaned.
- Clean cupboards inside and out.
“We conduct numerous vacate cleans, and one crucial piece of advice we’d give tenants is to check the hooks on the backs of your doors! Many items are often left behind,” advises Kelsey Wigg, Southern Tasmania Elite franchisee. “Additionally, be mindful of Blu-Tack and its stains on walls; these may need to be addressed to secure your bond back.”
For a thorough and compliant clean that meets IICRC standards, consider calling us. We are here to assist you with our professional services. Call us on 131580 or contact us for more information.