Should You do End of Lease Cleaning Yourself?

Ending a tenancy is stressful and challenging for most renters because they have to leave the rental property reasonably clean. You must refer to the original condition report to ensure all the rooms and fixtures look the same except for fair wear and tear. You cannot get your bond back in full without cleaning the rental property adequately. Therefore, hiring professionals for end of lease cleaning in Melbourne is a practical solution. They have the expertise and knowledge to sanitise residential properties at the end of a tenancy. However, it’s not the only option. You can perform end of lease cleaning yourself as well. Melbourne is one of the most expensive cities when it comes to housing. The monthly cost of renting a 1-bedroom house in the city centre is about $2000-$3000 per month. Living in a suburb of Melbourne can cost less and about $1200-$2000 per month. Affording professional end of lease cleaning Melbourne can be out of budget for some people, as the cost can range from $500-$1000. Knowing whether you should do end of lease cleaning yourself is crucial to avoid distress and loss of rental bond when ending your lease agreement. Thus, here is your complete guide to help you make an informed decision and outlines a DIY bond cleaning checklist. Have a look.

When is Hiring Professional End of Lease Cleaners Necessary?

All renters are expected to clean the rental property before vacating, and cleaning can be easy or difficult depending on how long you have lived in the property and how you kept it. If you have a short tenancy and the property is reasonably clean, you don’t need to hire professional cleaners and can deep clean it yourself. However, not every renter’s situation is this simple. Thus, knowing the following insights will help you decide whether to hire professionals for end of lease cleaning in Melbourne or not. Before 29 March 2021, rental providers couldn’t add terms for professional cleaning in rental agreements. However, afterwards, a few amendments to rental laws allow rental providers to request professional cleaning or cleaning up to professional standards in some situations, such as:

The rental property was professionally cleaned immediately before your tenancy & you were informed.

The property is heavily soiled, and you need professional help to restore it to its original clean condition.

You have pets like dogs, cats or any other that shed hair or make surroundings messy.

Even if the condition to hire professional cleaners doesn’t apply in your situation, you can choose a professional service for end of lease cleaning in Melbourne to guarantee a complete bond refund. Moreover, taking professional assistance will reduce stress and make moving out less challenging as you can avoid last-minute disputes.

DIY End of Lease Cleaning Checklist

If circumstances allow you to perform vacate cleaning in Melbourne, you will need a checklist to streamline your work. It should include the following tasks. 1. Cleaning All Rooms

Remove cobwebs

Dust all lights, fans and fixtures

Clean cabinets, cupboards, shelves, drawers and wardrobes.

Wipe the mirrors and glass surfaces

Clean windows and doors, including their screens, tracks and frames

Spot clean walls and wipe baseboards

Clean air vents

Dust the blinds and shades

Wipe common points of contact

Vacuum, sweep and mop hard floors

Vacuum carpets and rugs

Besides performing these general tasks in all rooms, do the following special tasks in these specific areas. 2. Cleaning the Kitchen

Descale and wash faucets

Degrease and clean the range hood

Clean oven, microwave and dishwasher

Wash the sink

Scrub and clean tiles

Wipe countertops, shelves and slabs

Unblock shower drains

3. Cleaning the Bathroom

Descale and clean the toilet, bathtub, faucets and shower head

Remove hard water stains, soap scum & grime from shower screen or glass

Unclog and sanitise the drains

Wash tiles and grout lines

Wash the sink

Wash the bathroom floor

4. Cleaning Outdoor Areas

Vacuum outdoor furniture

Wipe rails and screens

Mow the lawn

Wash the driveway and entryway

Sweep the garage floor

Modify this DIY end of lease cleaning checklist to add or omit cleaning chores and ensure you can sanitise the rental property up to professional standards. Don’t include tasks in the list that you must hire professionals to perform, like upholstery cleaning, pest control, wall washing etc.

Wrapping Up

When vacating a rental property, you have multiple things to manage, among which vacate cleaning is a major one. You cannot get your bond back in full without performing it properly. You can deep clean the property yourself if you can return it in the same state it was in at the start of your tenancy, and no special condition requires professional cleaning. Also, use the checklist above to clean the rental property like a pro and move out without dispute.