Whether your lease is ending soon or you are just starting a new lease, you can simplify the end-of-lease cleaning process by being proactive and spring cleaning on a regular basis.
An end-of-lease clean involves a tenant returning the property to the same sanitary and livable condition it was in at the beginning of the lease. If a tenant fails to adequately clean the property and return it to an acceptable condition, the landlord has the right to deduct the required amount from the bond to clean the property.
Decluttering your home and avoiding built up mess will take the stress off ending your lease when the time comes. We have compiled a list of the top tips to help renters spring clean this year!
Follow a checklist
The most effective way to spring clean is to have a methodical approach - always work from top to bottom. Start by noting down each room of your home and the aspects within them that need attention. For example, the kitchen (sink, cupboards, drawers, oven & stove). Once you have compiled your list, you can take the time to begin working through it and repeat on a regular/scheduled basis.
Declutter
Whilst decluttering is not a requirement for getting your bond back, throwing away unnecessary items will free up space and make cleaning much easier. As well as this, decluttering will give your home a more clean feel. Clutter is nothing more than a postponed decision, so if you don’t plan on keeping an item long term or if it doesn’t have a place, it most likely doesn’t belong.
Clean your carpets & curtains
A common bond deduction for tenants is for carpet cleaning - this can be easily avoided by regular floor vacuuming and ensuring close attention is paid to spillages or stains.
Similarly curtains need cleaning to remove dust, grit, finger marks and replace missing or broken hooks, blinds or cords.
Clean windows and door frames
Dust, moisture and debris tend to accumulate in these areas as they may not be cleaned on a regular basis. Use a vacuum and a sponge with some cleaning solution to remove built up dust and debris, ensuring you attend to areas like sliding door tracks, window frames and skirting boards.
Clean walls and baseboards
Spring cleaning involves attending to areas that are beyond the scope of a daily clean. This includes cleaning the walls and baseboards of the property. These areas are generally easy to clean and simply require a wipe, spot clean or a vacuum. However, for tenants with pets or young children, extra attention may be required to remove dirt and it is recommended to clean walls and baseboards on a more regular basis.
Remove Mould Spots
Mould can accumulate for a number of reasons - it can be unsightly and tends to reduce the indoor air quality. Removing these spots is essential when moving out of a property to avoid bond deductions. To quickly tread mould spots, spray white vinegar and lease it for 1 hour. After this, scrub the area with warm water, soap and a brush. Ensure you dry the area and respray vinegar to prevent the fungus regrowing again!
However, if you have a significant mould infestation, it would be wise to alert your property manager of the situation as experts may need to be hired to deal with the infestation.
Clean bathroom tiles
Try to avoid any build up of soap and grease around tile grout and in the shower seals. When spring cleaning, put in some elbow grease and get into those tiles to bring them back to a shiny or polished condition.
Reduce garden waste
If you have an outdoor area, it is important to maintain the condition of the garden. This includes watering any grass, and reseeding if needed. As well as removing leaves from gutters and removing any dead plants or weeds.
Empty the air conditioner dust vent
To maximise the air quality of your home and avoid fire hazards or recirculating dust, empty out the air conditioner dust vent and replace filters if necessary.
Degrease appliances
Finally, don’t forget to degrease your appliances! Pick a rainy day and clean the oven, stove and fridge. Get some gloves on and get stuck into the nitty gritty tasks that will make your home sparkle like new.