Moving out of your rented property can be a stressful time. Boxes to pack, a new place to set up and yet one of the most important but dreaded tasks tends to be cleaning a property thoroughly enough to get your bond back . In Victoria, landlords or property managers must return a bond within 14 days after the end of a tenancy agreement. Therefore, cleaning the rental property thoroughly is essential to avoid any delays or disputes in the refund process.
To make sure you don’t miss any important areas or tasks, it’s essential to create an end of lease cleaning checklist. Here’s what you should consider when cleaning your property after your tenancy is over.
Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most heavily used areas of a rental property, and it’s essential to leave it spotless when it’s time to move out. Start by cleaning the oven, stove, and range hood. Wipe down all surfaces, including benches, cabinets, and drawers. Don’t forget to clean the sink and taps thoroughly, and make sure you clean the dishwasher and remove any debris from the drain.
Some things to check when cleaning the kitchen include:
- Cleaning stovetop
- Cleaning ovens
- Cleaning the rangehood underside and interior
- Scrub your sink
- Clean cupboard doors
- Remove all food debris from dishwasher & sink
- Polish tapware
Bathrooms
The bathroom is another important area to focus on when cleaning your rental property that is prone to dirt and bacteria build up. Scrub the shower, bath, and toilet thoroughly, making sure to remove any stains or marks. Wipe down the mirrors, and clean the sink and taps. Don’t forget to clean the floors and walls, as well as any tiles or grout.
Some things to check when cleaning the bathroom include:
- Scrub Baths, Showers & Sinks
- Disinfect and Scrub Toilet
- Wipe Down Benches
- Wipe Down cupboards
- Clean Mirrors
- Polish Tapware
- Empty Bins
- Scrub Wall Tiles & Grout
- Clean Ceiling Exhaust Fans
- Wipe down inside cupboards and drawers
Bedrooms and Living Areas
When it comes to the bedrooms and living areas, it’s essential to clean all surfaces thoroughly, including skirting boards, windows, and walls. Dust all surfaces, including light fittings and fans, and vacuum the carpets or sweep and mop the floors to get them back to their original condition.
Some things to check when cleaning bedrooms and living areas include:
- Vacuum carpets
- Mop tiled areas
- Clean skirting boards
- Wipe down windows and walls if dirty
- Empty bins
Outdoor Areas
If you have any outdoor areas, such as a balcony or courtyard, make sure you clean them thoroughly too. Sweep or mop the floors, wipe down any surfaces, and remove any debris or rubbish.
Some things to check when cleaning outdoor areas include:
- Sweeping and mopping area flooring
- Removing rubbish and debris from the area
- Dusting off any outdoor furniture
General Cleaning Tasks
There are a number of other general cleaning tasks you might want to consider when it comes to moving out of your rental property. These ones can often get forgotten, so it’s important to tick them off when completing your clean.
- Dusting all surfaces, including light fittings and fans
- Cleaning all windows and window sills
- Removing any cobwebs
- Cleaning all light switches and power outlets
- Cleaning all skirting boards
- Vacuuming or sweeping all floors
- Mopping all tiled floors.
By following this end of lease cleaning checklist, you can make sure that you leave your rental property in great shape and spotless enough to get your bond back.
A Helping Hand With Professional End of Lease Cleaning
In Victoria, some real estate agencies may require tenants to hire professional cleaning services for end of lease cleaning. It’s important to check with the property manager or landlord if this is a requirement and hire a professional cleaning service that is experienced in end of lease cleaning and can guarantee your bond back.
If you’re short on time or would rather leave the cleaning to the professionals, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to take care of the job for you. Maid to Clean provides reliable end of lease cleaning services to take the stress out of moving so you can focus on packing. To get an interactive quote and also book online, jump over to our booking form. Alternatively, feel free to give us a call on 03 8391 7026.