What Does End Of Lease Cleaning Include? A Complete Checklist For Tenants

End of lease cleaning is one of the crucial tasks when moving out of a rental property in Victoria. It is essential for tenants/renters to fulfil their contractual cleaning obligations for hassle free bond retrieval. A security deposit or rental bond is a sum renters pay at the start of a lease. In Melbourne, the bond amount is up to four week's rent if the rent is $900/ a week or less. Therefore, losing the bond can take a toll on your pocket, leading to a significant monetary loss.

Most rental disputes and bond deductions happen due to cleanliness issues. It doesn't matter how often you clean a house during your lease; the property must be returned in the same condition as it was at the start of the tenancy. Thus, it is imperative to refer to the initial property condition report and create a customised checklist to meet strict cleaning standards set by landlords and property managers. Hiring seasoned experts for a budget end of lease cleaning Melbourne is a practical decision as they offer a bond back guarantee and top notch cleaning solutions.

However, it is important to know what's included and excluded in a standard service to make a well informed decision. So, here is a complete checklist to determine what needs to be cleaned and sanitised to pass the rental inspection. Ensure you clean each area of the property, including difficult to reach spots, germ laden areas and exterior parts, for exceptional results.

Let’s Get Started!

1. General Bond Cleaning Checklist: All Rooms

As a tenant in Victoria, you are responsible for the following tasks during the end of lease cleaning. It is good to start from the top and keep sprucing up downwards to cover all nooks and crannies. This checklist will help you deep clean a neglected home efficiently.

• Remove inspect marks, dust particles and cobwebs from ceiling walls and crannies
• Dust all fan blades, light fittings, fixtures and switches.
• Spot clean walls using vinegar solution and a magic eraser
• Clean cabinets, shelves and drawers from the top, inside and outside
• Wash windows inside and outside (if accessible), including sills, frames, panes and tracks
• Vacuum blinds and wipe baseboards
• Clean air vents
• Disinfect high touch surfaces like handles, rails and doorknobs
• Vacuum carpets and rugs
• Sweep and mop the floor

Tip: Remove all furniture and packed boxes to access dirt from nooks and crannies efficiently.

2. Kitchen Cleaning Checklist: What’s Included

From cooking messes and oil splatters to greasy appliances and clogged drains, all contribute to germs infestation and health hazards. That’s the reason why landlords conduct a stringent final inspection before handing over full bond money. Here is a complete list of tasks to help you deep clean your kitchen like a pro:

Cabinets and Drawers:

Remove all food content and wipe down the wooden cabinets using a damp cloth. Use vinegar spray to degrease the surface. Clean the drawers using the same technique.

Kitchen Appliances:

Remove burnt food particles, soap scum and grime from all kitchen appliances, including an oven, microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher.

Range Hood and Filters:

Degrease range hood using vinegar solution and wash filters in hot soapy water. You can use soda crystals to break down stubborn gunk and grease.

Countertops and Stovetop:

Wipe down the countertop using baking soda. It can dislodge oil, grime and sauce splatters without causing any damage to the surface. For a stove top, scrub it gently to break down gunk and clean the knobs.

Backsplash and Tiles:

Clean these areas with castile soap or hydrogen peroxide. You can also clean the grout lines with a microfiber cloth or an old toothbrush.

Sink, Faucets and Garbage Disposal:

Wipe clean every nook and cranny of the sink and shine the chrome faucet. To unclog the garbage disposal, add a cup of baking soda and vinegar to get rid of gunk and food particles. Next, pour hot water down the drain for sparkling results.

3. Thoroughly Clean and Disinfect Bathroom

Tenants must deep clean and disinfect bathroom fixtures and fittings before the final rental inspection. It usually gets the utmost attention from landlords and could lead to bond deductions due to stained and grimy surfaces. So, it is good to descale your showerhead, walls, and glass doors using a vinegar solution. Remove soap scum, grime and gunk from bathtub, tiles and grouts with baking soda. You can use the duo of these magical eco friendly cleaning products to remove brown stains and grime from the toilet bowl. Ensure you clean and disinfect the sink, faucets, towel rails, and floors to avoid germs and grime.

Mix 3 % hydrogen peroxide and warm water for mould spores and spray it over the affected areas. Leave it for a few minutes and scrub gently. Rinse and dry the surface to prevent further re growth. You can also hire professionals for the best end of lease cleaning Melbourne for spotless and stress free results.

4. Living Room and Bedroom Cleaning

As these two rooms are not as dirty as the bathroom and kitchen, you can relax and clean it slowly and steadily. However, don’t overlook important spots as it can lead to bond deductions. Thus, understand the importance of bond cleaning and dust fixtures, fittings, décor, lamps, tables and other surfaces. Also, vacuum mattresses and blinds to get rid of dust mites and grime. Also, clean the wardrobes, shelves and storage units.

Tip: Replace old sheets with a fresh one and fluff pillow covers before the rental inspection.

5. Outdoor Cleaning Checklist

Professional end of lease cleaning Melbourne is different from routine or regular house cleaning because it focuses on cleaning outdoor areas as well. It includes tasks like removing weeds, mowing the lawn, cleaning the driveways and patio areas, removing cobwebs from garage ceilings, mopping the floors, etc, to enhance the overall look and feel of a residential property, and pass the rental inspection without any dispute.

A Complete End of Lease Cleaning Checklist For Tenants

Wrapping up

Vacating a rental property is one of the stressful events, and end of lease cleaning makes it more challenging. However, with the help of this checklist, you can easily spruce up the entire property and achieve spotless results for your hard earned bond money. It is good to stock up on all the necessary supplies, eco friendly products and adhere to this checklist to impress your landlord at the end of your tenancy.