For many, the end-of-lease clean means finally facing up to the old dust bunnies, cobwebs and terrifying patches of mould they’ve spent the past year avoiding.
The end of lease process can be daunting, especially if you’re not using a professional cleaner. Here are our tips for ensuring your end of lease clean runs as smoothly as possible.
Plan ahead
Just remember the 5 “P’s” “proper preparation prevents poor performance” – the same goes for an end of lease clean, if you create a plan to tackle a room at a time in a session like manner you’ll be less likely to forget and miss items and it will make the process less overwhelming.
Regular cleans throughout your tenancy will make this process far easier and less daunting.
Starting from one side or end of the house and methodically working your way through will also be a good way to remind yourself what has been cleaned and what’s outstanding.
Be thorough
Often it’s those parts of your regular weekly clean that are forgotten. Items such as kitchen appliances, tops of cupboards and window tracks are forgotten.
The outside is just as important as the inside. Remember that areas such as windows and porches also need to be cleaned.
Move the furniture
The best way to complete your end of lease clean is to do it once the property is vacant. This way you can get into places that previously had furniture and appliances.
Condition report
Your property manager will use the condition report that you were given at the commencement of your tenancy as a checklist for the condition the property was handed to you, it’s always good to go back through this list and use it to compare and work out the areas that need more attention.
Professional Cleaning
If you’re time poor or simply do not want the stress of completing an end of lease clean yourself, hiring a professional cleaner may be a better option for you as they have plenty of experience in this area and will go back to the property and complete any items that they might miss.
Checklist: end of lease cleaning
Kitchen
- Cooking areas – clean oven, racks and stove top. Remove all chemicals and wipe marks.
- Exhaust hood – clean all oil marks, wash filters and ensure light is working.
- Sinks – remove food from drain and clean taps and water spout.
- Benches – wipe down all surface areas and walls.
- Dishwasher – clean inside, including all racks and rubbers. Remove food from filter and rinse.
- Refrigerator – pull out and clean behind and underneath.
- Extractor fan – remove all dust and oil.
- Cupboards – empty, wipe out – don’t forget the tops.
Inside
- Walls – wipe down all walls. Scrub off marks and fix dents or holes and repaint if necessary, remove cobwebs from corners.
- Windows – clean all windows and doors inside and out. Be sure to clean in the window tracks and blinds.
- Cupboards and draws – empty and wipe clean.
- Ledges – wipe clean all ledges including, windows, skirting boards, top of doors, sliding door tracks.
- Fly screens – remove wash and put back.
- Lights – clean all light switches and lights, replace non-working bulbs.
- Extras – Any appliance or furniture that was provided, should be cleaned and left in the condition they were received in.
- Floors – vacuum or sweep floors before mopping and steam clean carpets. If this is done proffessionally please retain the receipt ot give to your property manager or landlord – look at your lease and your ingoing report and see what it requires.
- Bathrooms and laundry
- Mirrors – clean all mirrors and remove wipe marks.
- Toilet – scrub and disinfect including under seat and around the outside of the bowl.
- Shower – clean glass, taps and shower head, remove mould from grout, mop floor and allow area to dry.
- Basin – clean basin and drain, wipe down all bench tops, wall tiles and taps.
- Extras – wipe down soap holders, towel rails, toilet paper holder and ceiling fan.
Outside
- Yard – mow lawn, weed garden, trim trees, sweep paved areas.
- Patios – clean and hose down all outside verandas or decks, remove spiderwebs and clean any appliances including barbecues.
- Windows – clear cobwebs, wash and dry.
- Pets – clean any animal mess and repair any damage. Your lease will have a clause about getting a professional pest spray if you have had a pet, make sure you retain the receipt to hand to your property manager
- Pool and spas– clear debris from water and filter.
- Garage – empty and clean any oil marks or dirt, remove cobwebs and clean garage door.
- Rubbish bins – wash and dry.
For more information on this you can always contact your property manager and they can guide you through any questions you may have or refer you to a local profesional.
This article was inspired by a realestate.com.au article posted on 26/9/2019 – this article is general advice only and readers should do their own due dilligence.