Moving out can be a stressful process, especially when your bond (security deposit) is at stake. One key aspect to ensuring you get your bond back is completing a thorough end-of-lease cleaning. Most landlords and property managers expect the property to be returned in pristine condition, and failing to meet their expectations could mean a deduction from your bond. This article will guide you through an ultimate end-of-lease cleaning checklist to ensure you leave your rental in perfect condition.
Understanding the Importance of End-of-Lease Cleaning
When tenants move out, landlords or property managers typically conduct a final inspection to check if the property is clean and in the same condition as when it was leased. If the property isn’t up to standard, they may deduct cleaning and repair costs from your bond. By following a detailed cleaning checklist, you can avoid unnecessary costs and ensure the return of your bond.
Room-by-Room End-of-Lease Cleaning Checklist
1. Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
The kitchen is one of the most critical areas of a house that requires extra attention.
- Oven: Clean the inside of the oven thoroughly, removing grease and grime. Don’t forget to clean the oven racks.
- Stovetop: Remove and clean stove elements, ensuring there’s no leftover food or grease.
- Rangehood and exhaust fan: Wipe down and degrease the rangehood and clean the filters.
- Cupboards: Empty and clean inside cupboards and drawers, ensuring no crumbs or stains.
- Sink: Polish and descale the sink and faucets.
- Countertops: Wipe down all countertops, making sure they’re free of stains and grease.
- Refrigerator and Freezer: If included in the property, defrost and thoroughly clean both inside and outside of the refrigerator.
- Floors: Sweep and mop the kitchen floor, ensuring it’s free of any marks or stains.
2. Bathroom Cleaning Checklist
Bathrooms need to sparkle to pass inspection.
- Toilet: Scrub the toilet, ensuring both the inside of the bowl and the outside are clean.
- Shower and Bathtub: Clean the showerhead, scrub tiles, and grout, and make sure there is no mold or mildew.
- Sink: Polish the sink and faucets, ensuring they are free of water stains and soap scum.
- Mirrors and Glass: Clean all mirrors and glass surfaces to be streak-free.
- Tiles and Grout: Ensure all tiles are wiped down and the grout is free of dirt or mold.
- Cupboards and Drawers: Clean inside and outside of bathroom cabinets and drawers.
- Floors: Sweep and mop the bathroom floors, paying extra attention to corners.
3. Living Room Cleaning Checklist
- Walls and Skirting Boards: Wipe down all walls to remove scuff marks, and clean the skirting boards.
- Windows: Clean windows inside and out, including tracks and sills.
- Carpets: Steam clean carpets or vacuum thoroughly to remove stains and dust.
- Hard Floors: Mop hard floors, ensuring they’re spotless.
- Light Fixtures: Dust and wipe down all light fixtures and switches.
- Curtains and Blinds: Clean or wash curtains, and wipe down blinds to remove dust.
4. Bedroom Cleaning Checklist
- Closets: Empty and clean all closets and drawers, removing any personal belongings.
- Windows: Clean windows and dust window sills.
- Carpet/Flooring: Vacuum carpets or sweep/mop floors.
- Walls: Wipe down the walls and remove any sticky marks or residue.
- Mirrors: Polish any mirrors to ensure they are streak-free.
5. Outdoor Area Cleaning (if applicable)
- Balcony/Patio: Sweep and mop the balcony or patio, ensuring there is no dirt or debris.
- Garden/Yard: Mow the lawn, remove weeds, and ensure any outdoor furniture is clean.
- Garage: Clear out and sweep the garage. Remove any oil stains from the floor.
Professional End-of-Lease Cleaning Services
While you can handle the end-of-lease cleaning yourself, hiring a professional cleaning service may save time and ensure thoroughness. Professional cleaners are experienced in meeting the standards required for bond returns and can take care of hard-to-clean areas like ovens, carpets, and grout. Some services even offer a bond-back guarantee, which means they will return to fix any cleaning issues raised by the property manager after their initial service.
Common services offered by end-of-lease cleaning companies include:
- Carpet steam cleaning: Essential for properties with carpeted floors.
- Window cleaning: Both interior and exterior window cleaning.
- Oven cleaning: A specialized deep clean of ovens and stovetops.
- Tile and grout cleaning: A thorough cleaning to remove dirt and mold.
- Garden maintenance: Cleaning outdoor spaces and managing the garden if required.
Tips to Maximize Your Bond Return
- Document the Condition: Take before-and-after photos to compare the condition of the property when you moved in and when you moved out.
- Follow the Lease Agreement: Pay attention to the specific cleaning requirements mentioned in your lease agreement.
- Repair Minor Damages: Fix any minor damage such as holes in the wall from picture hooks, scuffed walls, or damaged fixtures.
- Use a Professional Cleaner: If you’re short on time or unsure about the cleaning process, hire a professional service to handle it for you.
Why Hiring a Professional Can Be Worth the Investment
For those who want peace of mind, a professional cleaning service is often the best way to ensure that everything is done correctly and efficiently. They have specialised tools, like steam cleaners for carpets and high-pressure cleaners for outdoor areas, to leave every part of the home spotless. While it’s an additional cost upfront, it could save you from potential deductions from your bond and the headache of doing the cleaning yourself.
