End-of-lease cleaning is one of those daunting tasks when moving out of any property. Too many tenants decide to disregard the gravity of the process altogether, and they often have deductions taken from their security deposit as a result.
To help you get your full bond back, here are some end-of-lease cleaning mistakes that are common and how you can avoid them for Melbourne homes.
1. Underestimating the Scope of Cleaning
The biggest and most prevalent mistake made by tenants is the underestimation of how much work is involved in cleaning at the end of a lease. This is not just surface cleaning; landlords want their properties in the exact condition as when you came onto it. Every nook and cranny needs attention, including areas that may not be part of your regular cleaning routine like light fittings, exhaust fans, and skirting boards.
How to Avoid: Making a comprehensive checklist of the items in the property is a good idea. In that way, you can refer back to the condition of items at the start of your lease so that everything can be covered. Begin cleaning well in advance rather than leaving things to the last minute.
2. Ignoring Appliances
Many tenants forget to properly clean household appliances like ovens, stovetops, microwaves, and refrigerators. These items can grime over time, and if they are not cleaned, they could be a big dent in your bond.
How to Avoid: Take extra care with all of the appliances. The oven needs cleaning by using an effective cleaner; the fridge, free it from all contents and wipe the interior; check the microwave for residues. Do not forget to clean the extractors’ filter and dishwasher filters.
3. Ignoring Walls and Doors
Possible scuff marks, stains, and fingerprints on walls and doors are often forgotten in end-of-lease cleaning. These can be quite visible when the property is completely empty and may generate complaints from landlords.
How to Avoid: Check walls and doors for scuffs and stains. Apply the correct cleaning product to remove scuff marks or consider repainting where necessary. Note that these usually occur in hallways and passageways.
4. Forgetting About Carpets and Floors
As it happens, carpets and floors usually get the most wear and tear in a house and often need deep cleaning at the end of your lease. If there are stains, odours, or deeply embedded dirt in the carpet, just merely vacuuming will not suffice.
How to Avoid: Hire an expert cleaning company so that your carpets are absolutely clean. For hard floors, make sure to mop them well and remove any stains or scratches. Also, keep in mind cleaning under furniture and in corners, too, as often it’s overlooked.
5. Overlooking Windows and Blinds
Windows, blinds, and curtains are often left behind in end-of-lease cleaning, but these are also some of the first things a landlord or property manager will notice. Dusty, grimy, and streaky windows are for sure going to leave a bad impression.
How to Avoid: Clean all windows inside and outside, removing all cobwebs, dust, and streaks. Dust blinds and wipe them down; if necessary, wash your curtains. Do not forget about window tracks and sills, which can accumulate much dirt over time.
6. Abandoning Personal Effects and Trash
It can be easy, in the mad dash to get out of the house, to leave personal items or rubbish behind. However, landlords expect the property to be completely empty, and anything left behind may result in additional charges for removal.
How to Avoid: Check all cupboards, drawers, and storage areas before you go to make sure nothing is left behind. Dispose of all rubbish properly and make sure any recycling is sorted and taken out.
7. Not Cleaning Outdoor Areas
If your rented house or apartment has any outdoor spaces-a garden, a balcony, and a patio-these also need cleaning. Weeds, deadened plants, and dirty outdoor furniture tend to develop complaints against the landlord.
How to Avoid: Make sure the lawn is mowed, there are no overgrown plants pruned or weeds in the garden. Also clean the patio and balcony and wipe down the outdoor furnitures.
8. Omitting the Final Inspection
Some tenants do not bother to care about the final inspection, probably because they are of the perception that all will be okay. This could be the greatest mistake you could commit in renting since it is your last opportunity to make sure everything is in order before the landlord or property manager finally inspects the property.
How to Avoid: Always schedule a final walk-through of the property after you’ve finished cleaning. This allows you to spot those areas which may need more attention and act upon it before you hand over the keys.
9. Not Hiring Professional Cleaners if One Needs Them
Consequently, by trying to save a few bucks, tenants try doing almost every cleaning themselves, but due to improper machinery or lack of skills, certain jobs will not be well executed as per the landlord’s requirement and may result in partial or full bond deductions.
How to Avoid: If not confident in the cleaning of the property to a certain standard, it would be wise to call in professional End of Lease cleaners in Melbourne. They have experience and equipment to know just how to clean the property properly and to the landlord’s satisfaction.
Conclusion
The end-of-lease cleaning is a crucial step to be taken by the tenants in order to get your full bond back. Preventing these common mistakes and being good at cleaning will leave your rental property in exquisite condition, after which you can experience a smooth transition into your new home.