Need to do an end-of-lease clean? Our expert shares what you need to know – and how to do it yourself in this handy guide.
Leaving your rental property in a good state is important for a multitude of reasons – it will help to ensure your bond is returned and it will also ensure a good reference from the leasing agent, which is especially important if you want to rent again.
While many people are now opting for a professional end-of-lease clean, real estate agent (and former property stylist) Sharon Begg says it is definitely possible to do it yourself and save considerable money.
A professional end-of-lease clean can cost up to $1500 for a three-bedroom free-standing house, says Begg, so it can be worth your while to do it yourself, especially if you have generally kept the property clean and maintained it regularly.
The key is to make sure the job is done properly and thoroughly.
Condition report
After signing a lease and before moving into a property, you should be given a condition report, says Begg. This report should be a detailed list of the condition of the property, including marks on walls, any floor or carpet stains, plus the state of the garden.
“Tenants are given a set of photographs and also a list, room by room, as part of that condition report,” she says. “So potentially it should mention if there was a mark on a wall in the bedroom, or if the oven door wasn't closing properly. This will set expectations on all sides.”
Most agents now use an app to record the condition of the property instead of a paper report, which can also upload detailed photos of the house and any existing wear and tear or damage. This report (whether on the app or on paper) can be used by the tenants to ensure that the property is returned in the same condition as it was when originally leased.
And, while it is always good to do a thorough clean of the entire house, there are some special areas that agents tend to focus on during a final inspection – floors (especially carpets), walls, bathrooms, kitchens, and the garden.
Flooring
The condition of the flooring is important for agents, especially if you have young children or pets. Make sure any marks or stains are properly dealt with at the time and give all surfaces a thorough clean before the inspection. Stained or dirty carpet is a red flag for agents.
“With properties that have got carpet, most agencies these days ask for the carpets to be professionally steam or dry cleaned,” says Begg.
If you want to do the cleaning yourself (and save the money), she recommends hiring a steam-clean unit from Bunnings to ensure a professional-looking result.
For wooden or tiled floors, a good mop is essential and Begg recommends Selleys tile and grout cleaner to make sure the tiles (on both floors and any tiled splashbacks) are thoroughly cleaned.
And don’t forget the skirting boards and architraves. Begg says that many cleaners forget these important areas and if they are dirty or dusty, they can indicate that the property hasn’t been cleaned thoroughly or regularly.
Walls
Over time, it is common to incur marks upon the walls, whether they are scuff marks from moving furniture, dirty fingerprints or just general dust. It’s a good idea to clean the walls after you have moved out, in case there are hidden marks behind furniture and any scuffs left behind by the removalists (or your well-meaning best friend).
Sugar soap is a great product for removing wall marks, whether you use a bucket or sponge or the wipes, which are a little more convenient. The wipes are particularly useful for small areas or tiny marks.
Another area that is often forgotten is the windows. Again, this is best done once all the furniture has been removed.
Bathrooms
The key to handing over a clean bathroom is to be super thorough. Bathrooms need regular maintenance and cleaning, so don’t forget weekly wipe-overs and monthly deep cleans in order to prevent stubborn stains or mould and mildew. Keeping the grout clean and mould-free helps to keep a bathroom and laundry in good shape, making the final end-of-lease clean much more manageable.
Many tenants find that daily use of a squeegee after showering helps to prevent moisture from building up in wet areas.
Consider a specialist grout cleaner for stubborn stains, or even bleach. A narrow grout brush is excellent for getting into the spaces between tiles, which can be otherwise difficult to clean properly.
Kitchen
While it’s a good idea to give all parts of the kitchen a good clean, there are a few areas to concentrate your efforts – the oven and cooktop, the dishwasher (if there is one) and the splashback.
When cleaning all these areas, it is worth buying quality, specialist products, especially for the cooktop and oven as they are specially designed to prevent damage to these delicate surfaces, while still delivering a good result.
Don’t forget the garden
Begg says that an untidy or unruly garden is often targeted by estate agents, suggesting that any end-of-lease cleaning checklist should include the outdoor spaces. A good hose-down of paving, edge trimming and a freshly mowed lawn is a must as part of an end-of-lease clean.
The best way to ensure that an end-of lease clean is manageable is to do regular property maintenance while you are living at the property. Regular weeding, mowing and tidying helps to keep the plants and garden under control, which will make it easier to do a quick spruce up when you leave the property.
If there is damage
“Most agents will accept that accidents do happen,” says Begg, and damage can occur, especially if you have lived in the property over several years. Some wear and tear is acceptable, and should be documented through regular inspections.
However, if damage is done, she says the best strategy is to be upfront with the leasing agent – and get it professionally fixed before the final inspection. Otherwise, she says, repairs might be taken out of your bond, which will be more costly and can result in a bad reference and hurt your chances of renting again.
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