Leaving a rented property can be a daunting task for many, especially if you are aiming to get your security deposit back in full. It is important to leave the property in the same good condition (clean) as when you moved in. Ignoring this step may result in a certain amount being deducted from your deposited funds; that is something you probably want to avoid at all costs. As a tenant, it is your responsibility to make sure everything has been cleaned properly, from the bottom to the top. This process includes everything from cleaning the floors to using a cloth to wipe down surfaces so that everything appears as neat and tidy as it was in the beginning.
Easier said than done, moving can be difficult, but if you take time to plan and put effort into cleaning everything up as it was in the beginning, the results will make the proprietor happy, and you will get your security deposit back in full. This guide entails some simple yet effective tips to help you prepare your property for departure so that you can move out peacefully, knowing you have done all you could. Following the mentioned steps will enable you to get your full deposit back when you exit, which will be a tremendous financial relief during the period of transitioning to a new place.
1. What Is the End Of Lease Cleaning? and Why is it Required?
When it comes to rental properties, one should be aware of end of lease cleaning, also referred to as bond cleaning. It consists of a cleaning process in which the whole of the property is well-cleaned by the tenant prior to vacating it. This step, indeed, is critical because it is aimed at several different aspects that are part of the rental agreement framework. Usually, leasing agreements include the provision that the client should give the property back in the same condition as it was given, taking into consideration all the effects of normal wear and tear. A security deposit is an additional amount of money that the landlord can withdraw from your deposit if you are unable to meet this obligation during your stay in a rental home. The security deposit is an amount offered by the tenants as a financial assurance for possible damages or non-payment of rent. That being said, the last cleaning of the rented place is crucial for having the full security deposit repaid. Aside from that, moving-out cleaning facilitates an easy transition for all parties involved. For the tenants, this is one way of ensuring that the property is left clean and tidy, and this also ensures that they get good references when applying for future rentals. The landlord’s side of the story would also benefit from this, as it would help them get the place ready to welcome the new tenants and keep the property from being empty for a long period of time, thus keeping it valuable in the real estate market.
2. Essential Steps for a Hassle-Free Bond Cleaning Process!
As a tenant, you want your security deposit back wherever the landlord’s property is, in its original condition as when he leased it out to you. This process of bond cleaning involves a lot of crucial steps, and ignoring even one of them might result in receiving less than the amount that was submitted at the beginning of the contract. To make it easy for you to get along with the whole cleaning process prior to your departure, we’ve compiled some essentials that you need to keep in mind. Going by these factors and considering them will allow you to hand over your rented property to its owner in the best possible form.
- Check Your Lease Agreement – Before starting your deep cleaning, make an in-depth study of your lease agreement. This is also one way of knowing your landlord’s expectations about cleanliness. Thus, you can be sure what areas should be prioritised. This is a vital step in the pre-planning process to ensure nothing is left behind before you leave.
- Schedule Your Cleaning – Go ahead and make a plan for when you will do your cleaning chores. Be sure to afford yourself enough time to get the work done in a satisfactory manner. Beginning a couple of days before you move out gives you a lot of time to finish the job without being crammed for deadlines. With this, you can clean the space neatly and tidy up everything instead of leaving anything behind.
- Organise and Pack – First, make sure you put and pack away your stuff to begin the cleanup process. This reduces a lot of cleaners’ time and helps them know where they should put more effort. Packing all your stuff will make it much easier to get the space cleaned up quickly.
- Property Assessment – Finally, check every room in the property, even the ones you don’t think are necessary, very carefully. Create lists of any damages or problems encountered, and don’t hesitate to take some photos. This way, you can show any evidence against your landlord if there is any dispute about your security deposit at a later date. Just through this, you can make moving out a bit easier when it’s time to move.
3. Difference Between End Of Lease Cleaning And Regular Cleaning
Many of the tenants are perplexed as they compare bond cleaning to the ordinary cleaning they comply with while renting a property. Routine cleaning is used to maintain the general cleanliness of a house on a daily basis, and when one is moving out of a rental property, this is known as an end of lease cleaning. Despite this, however, we want to make it easier for you to understand how these differ from each other. For this reason, we have mentioned some essential variances to understand their unique functions.
- Time and Frequency – There is an important distinction to be made between regular cleaning and end of tenancy cleaning in the sense that the former is time- and frequency-based, whereas the latter is not. Regular cleaning is an essential task that is carried out at very short intervals of time for the purpose of keeping your living place clean and hygienic. It is something you do periodically, for instance, every week or every other week, to ensure that your house is in tip-top condition and is tidy. Consequently, a move-out cleaning is a deep clean conducted when you are vacating a rental unit. The specific intention of that is to get you the security deposit back, so it is usually carried out right before you give your key back to your landlord or property manager.
- Tasks – Routine cleansing consists of simple actions like dusting, vacuuming, wiping surfaces, and sanitising the most commonly used areas. These duties are all part of the day’s work of keeping your living space at least presentable and clean. Nevertheless, rental property end of lease cleaning aspects are multifaceted. It involves a lot of meticulous work, like floor cleaning, cleaning every little part of kitchen appliances, removing hard-to-remove stains, and, if necessary, even carpet cleanups. The main point of this cleanup is to make the rental property look as if it were never occupied and to leave it in excellent condition for the next tenant to vacate easily without any problems.
- Purpose – One of the benefits of daily housekeeping is that it helps provide a safe and enjoyable living space for you and your family. It is about doing tasks in a little time to enable you to stay away from trash and garbage piling up and your house looking untidy. To begin with, the final objective of end of lease cleaning is to make sure the security deposit is not taken away from you. The renting real estate companies will be expecting the property to be returned in the same clean and well-groomed condition in which the tenants moved in. If you do not live up to your end of the bargain, there are chances of having your deposit deducted or even getting into legal quarrels.
4. Tips For A Better End Of Lease Cleaning
Prepare yourself to move out by using these tips to guarantee that you receive the maximum security deposit. No matter if you are an experienced renter or new to such things, these tips will surely help you keep your rental spot clean and be able to get your security deposit back. Whether you are looking up to the kitchen and the bathroom that are the most challenging spots or are organising your time efficiently, these tips will make sure that you are confident and accomplished in the end.
- Make a Cleaning Checklist – The whole lease cleaning process can be made very simple with the use of a checklist. It does not let you get scattered, ensuring you do not miss any cleaning tasks or areas. Through this checklist, you will be doing yourself a favour because you will be able to manage your time properly. For example, it helps in keeping you organised, and it helps in preventing any confusion that may arise.
- Collect Necessary Supplies – Prior to your move-out-ready cleaning, you do need to obtain the necessary materials. Collect cleaning products like all-purpose cleaners (APC), glass cleaners, bathroom cleaners, and tools like a microfiber cloth, scrubbing sponges, a mop, a vacuum cleaner, and a broom. Set up the trash bags for waste disposal and wear gloves as well as a face mask for protection. Don’t leave out room for accessories such as a step ladder and toolkit. Making sure that you have these items beforehand is a guarantee that the whole cleaning will go smoothly.
- Kitchen Cleaning – Begin your cleaning in the kitchen, as it is the room that is the most difficult to clean. Splashes of grease, oil, and food residues can be annoying. Lead by wiping the backsplash and cupboard tops. Scrub stove tops and knobs, as well as microwave and oven surfaces. Get rid of grease from the oven and microwave. Squeeze the fridge and dishwasher, drain because of the sink clogs, and take out the range hood. These steps will ensure that your kitchen is cleaned for inspection and looks so good.
- Room Cleaning – If you are doing everything to prepare your place to move out, don’t miss the opportunity to give each room a proper cleaning. First, eradicate cobwebs and insect droppings; thereafter, clean fans and air vents using a sponge and soapy water. Remove the graffiti, and then gently clean up the bedding and cover. As you do it, don’t miss the doors, skirting, and light switches. Besides that, vacuum floors and carpets. Moisten the dust window blinds and do the same procedure to both sides of the windows.
- Bathroom Cleaning – The bathroom is the most used room in the house, and due to that, a lot of attention should be paid to it during the final cleaning before moving out. Make sure to clean surfaces, mirrors, and taps, and get rid of soap scum. As you clean the toilet, make sure you have a thorough cleaning. Even though time-consuming may look like a thing, you are able to clean up a bathroom in under 15 minutes. When it comes to mould, you need to get a mould remover spray and scrub the affected area thoroughly to get rid of it.
- Overall Cleaning – To ensure the utmost cleanliness, attention to detail is paramount; inspect every spot of the property down to the last detail. Sweep light fixtures and ceiling fans as dust tends to gather there, and don’t forget to vacuum and mop all floors well. The importance of this immaculate check is to ensure no inch of the property is overlooked and it all becomes clean at the completion of the lease.
5. How Much Does The End of Lease Cleaning Costs?
If you are running out of time or have the choice of getting the services from a professional cleaner, there are end of lease cleaning services available. Hiring experts is a way of ensuring that you save time and effort, as well as get access to high-quality products and technology. The cost at the end of tenancy cleaning usually falls into two categories: a fixed fee that can start at $250 and can get as high as $1100, or you can choose an hourly rate that can be between $20 and $60.
However, take note that the cost may vary from one company to another, so it is advisable to compare the price ranges of several companies. Agents like the size of your place, the type of cleaning that is done, the tools used, and the complexity of the job will all influence the final cost. Usually, the more thorough the cleaning, the higher the price. The service quality may vary among different cleaning companies, so it’s advisable to ask for quotes for comparison.
6. Key Factors for Choosing the Right End of Lease Cleaning Service
While many prefer doing the end of lease cleaning by themselves, there are numerous people who still hire a professional to do the cleaning at their place. The reasons for doing so are very clear, as it gives the tenant a lot of vacant time to embark on their new journey with ease, which would be stress-free at all costs. This way, they are able to make a smooth transition in a very good manner, and their aim of getting the maximum amount of their security amount also gets fulfilled.
- 100% Bond Back Assurance – Most of the bond cleaning service providers do offer 100% bond back assurance along with their services to all of their clients, which makes it easier for the tenants to choose them. They are able to do this with the help of their team of experts, who have years of experience with them, making it easier for them to deliver the said services.
- Transparent Pricing – Transparency is a crucial part of the ethos that a reliable bond cleaning service provider carries with it. Through this, they are able to properly communicate their pricing policies to their clients, who only want the best for themselves and nothing less.
- Perfect Handling – Not just one, but there are a number of aspects that are linked with handling an exit cleaning project. A trustworthy agent carries all of their duties and tasks with the utmost precision and dedication, making the whole task of moving out a lot easier for the client.
- Must Be Top-Rated – A cleaning agent ought to carry a great reputation with him. For it, he must also be bearing a number of positive reviews for his top-notch services in the past. These positive testaments stand as a factor of excellence for these agents, whom you can rely on for your bond cleaning.
Final considerations
The final stage of the lease cleaning is a thorough cleaning before you depart, not just tidying the place. This is a comprehensive guide that can lead you through the process. For each cleaning task, use this step-by-step method to ensure that the surface is adequately cleaned and checked. As much as you may want to remove clutter and deep clean areas such as the kitchen and bathroom, details should be given priority in order to secure the landlord’s deposit and save your good name.
For those short on time, choosing a reliable bond cleaning expert would be the best choice, as it will help you deliver the rented property back to its owner in spotless condition, ready for its next occupants.
Frequently Asked Questions
An end of lease cleaning consists of thorough cleaning, disinfecting, and dusting of all areas of the rented property.
You can use some homemade cleaning solutions, such as baking soda and vinegar, when required, try tidying up your property’s extra possessions, and prepare a checklist before beginning the cleaning process.