It is always a good step when you prepare yourself early before moving out. This is not because preparing early can reduce your stress, but it also helps you get your bond back without any stress, too. Before moving out, you have a list of things to do, and if anything is left behind, it can be stressful. In this article, we will discuss the top cleaning tips to help you be ready on time, so you can hand over the keys and get your bond without any problems.
Understand What Is Expected of You
If you are living in the rental property and leaving it soon, you are expected to return it in good and reasonable condition. This is a bond cleaning, or end-of-lease cleaning. If you do not do so, some of the amount can be deducted from your bond, which you were supposed to get in full. It means the property should be as clean as it was when you first moved in.
Small mistakes are acceptable, such as a small mark on the wall or a small stain on the carpet, but there are clearly visible dust, water, and soap marks on the faucets, and many other types of dirt that are unacceptable to look at. Therefore, you should return your rental property as clean and tidy as your property owner expects. To do this, you will have to prepare yourself in advance.
Start Cleaning Early and Do not Delay
When residents are about to move out, they underestimate the time to be taken for cleaning. If they keep it on hold, the whole work will get spoiled. So think practically, so if you have two bedrooms home, it can be cleaned in a full day if you clean your home deeply often. A larger property with a buildup of grease and dust can take even longer.
Rather than leaving everything to the day before you hand back the keys, break the job into stages:
- A week before moving: You can empty your rooms, clean the cupboards, floor, drawers, windows, and the bathroom. Clean every corner properly, and check if there is anything you did not notice.
- Two or three days before: Tackle the kitchen. It usually requires the most time and effort and deserves proper attention.
- On the moving day: Vacuum and mop all the floors, check if anything is undone. Take photos of every room when you have completed your cleaning.
Do Everything in the Right Order
Do cleaning in the right order, because when it is done in the proper sequence, it saves extra work, and you can enjoy doing your work. Most people make a mistake by cleaning the floor first. Always clean from top to bottom in order.
Follow this order:
- Clean the ceiling fans, light bulbs, and remove the cobwebs from the walls.
- Clean walls, windows, shelves, and window tracks
- Cupboards and drawers
- Benchtops, sinks, and appliances
- Floors last, vacuum first, then mop
Focus on the Areas that Matter Most
Some areas in the home require more attention when the inspection is done. If these areas are not cleaned properly, a bond deduction might happen. So paying attention to these areas can help you save your bond.
Kitchen
The kitchen is the most closely inspected area in the home. Grease and food stains are general causes that make your kitchen dirty regularly. On being cleaned daily, some of the parts might be left uncleaned. So before moving out, you need to clean it thoroughly.
- Clean the oven inside and outside properly, racks, trays, and glass included
- Degrease the rangehood and clean the filter
- Wiped down benchtops and stovetops and splashes around
- Clean all the cupboards and drawers
- Descalcify the sink and taps
- Clean the area underneath and behind the fridge
Bathroom
The Bathroom requires the most attention in the second number. Every time you use the bathroom, it gets dirty and needs cleaning every day. So before moving out, you need to clean it completely.
- Scrub floor tiles and walls properly and clean the grout lines too.
- Clean the shower screen, bath basin, and toilet.
- Clean the taps and showerhead properly
- Clean the exhaust fan and check if it is working fine
Bedrooms and Living Area
- Wipe all the walls and remove marks from these
- Lean window sills, tracks, and fly screens
- Vacuum carpets and mop the hard floors
- Clean the Ceiling fans and light fittings
Outdoor Space
Do not forget to clean the outdoor area, patio, garage, and balcony, because these are part of the rental property.
How Do You Find the Difference Between Wear and Tear and Actual Damage
Many residents do not have the idea between these two. In fact, when you have a slightly worn hallway carpet or a small paint scuff near a light switch, it would fall into this wear-and-tear category.
Bond deduction will be made beyond these failures. It can include the stained carpet, the greasy oven, and holes in the walls. Keeping this in mind helps you focus on the things that actually matter during the inspection.
Should You Do It Yourself or Hire a Professional?
Actually, it depends upon the condition and time. If your home requires a general cleaning, since you have been cleaning your rental home regularly, taken care of it nicely, and it doesn’t need a deep cleaning during moving out, you can do this yourself if you have time for general cleaning. If there is significant mould and grime, and you are short of time. Then you should hire a professional.
Final Word
Preparing yourself before leaving the rental property can save your bond and also give you peace of mind. By using the steps mentioned above, you can easily do your cleaning task on time. After all the cleaning work, take photos of all the areas. These photos give you a record of the condition you left the property in, which can be very useful if any dispute comes up after handover.
