Once a tenant moves out of your property, you need to check if your unit remains in the same condition. This is because having people occupying your property presents risks. You notice it more when your rental is turned over back to you.

Performing an end of tenancy cleaning is important to ensure that your rental space is ready for the next tenant. This is where a lot of disagreement can occur, especially when the landlord deducts from the security deposit of the tenant. But if an end of tenancy cleaning is conducted then conflicts like these can be avoided.

At Peak Residential, we believe that making sure your property is clean and ready to rent is critical. Which is why we have put together the following article:

Defining End of Tenancy Cleaning

End of tenancy cleaning refers to deep cleaning a rental unit before the renter moves out. The cleaning encompasses the entire area of the property and includes the furnishing, rooms, floors, walls, and appliances. So, it should appear to be the way it was before the renter moved in.

The Objective of an End of Tenancy Cleaning

The purpose for end of tenancy cleaning is for the renters to return a rental space back into its original state prior to their occupancy. If they painted the wall a certain color or damaged furniture, they should repaint that wall in its original shade and have the damaged item either repaired or replaced. 

If the degree of cleanliness in the rental isn’t what the landlord expected then they can stake a claim on the security deposit, especially if the property damage wasn’t addressed by the renter. Some tenants also leave a unit in a mess, so the landlord would need to hire professional cleaners to straighten up the property before new renters would be interested.

Level of Cleanliness

Standards of cleaning can differentiate from one person to another so, the end of tenancy cleaning results in a lot of friction between the landlord and tenant. But you should note that landlords should only ask the tenants to clean the unit according to how it looked when they moved in.

Landlords who focus on gathering information from a walkthrough inspection performed with a renter will find it easy to objectively check the condition of the unit in terms of cleanliness. If you take pictures, this can also be a reference guide to the tenants on how you expect the property to look when they move out.

In addition, they can also show a cleaner they hire how clean they need the rental to be through the photos.

Defining Normal Wear and Tear

After years of renting out your property, you can expect wear and tear to happen. This means that furnishings eventually get scratches, stains, and appear dull. This type of damage is natural and the landlord must shell out the expenses to repair or replace items that have been subjected to wear and tear. 

End of Tenancy Cleaning Coverage

To make it easy for the landlord and tenants, they must have a list to ensure all details are covered. Landlords must inspect the property and assess its state before accepting requests for property showings from potential renters.

Below are some tips on the general locations you should consider cleaning:

Walls, Doors, and Ceilings

●      Wipe the light switches and socket areas

●      Wipe down the surfaces of the doors and handles, without missing touching the door frames and tops of the doors where dust can settle in

●      Get rid of the cobwebs from the ceiling by using a duster with a long handle

●      Ball up newspapers and clean the windowpanes

●      Clean windowsills and window frames as well

Fixtures and Furnishings

●      Dust the top areas of closets, shelves, and curtain rods

●      Clean lampshades and light bulbs

●      Vacuum the sofa

●      When tidying, keep the insides of drawers and cupboards in order

●      Clean the surfaces of desks and tables

Bathrooms

●      Scrub bathtubs, and take time to get rid of hard water stains

●      Clean the toilet with a toilet brush, disinfectant, and rubber gloves

●      Remove molds you find on the tile grouts by brushing

●      Use vinegar or lemon juice when cleaning the basin and taps to make them shine

●      Wipe shower doors and clean the shower head

Kitchens

●      Clean the kitchen countertops

●      Degrease the oven

●      Clean the refrigerator by emptying all the items

●      Remove the limescale from taps from the kitchen sink while avoiding creating scratches on the stainless steel areas

●      Clear out all items from the refrigerator when cleaning

●      Throw away the garbage and disinfect the garbage bins afterwards

●      Use an old toothbrush when cleaning the wall tiles

●      Clear out the cupboards and drawers when performing cleaning

●      Store the cutlery, dishes, and glasses in drawers after cleaning them

Carpets

Carpets are common inside a home and you should take care to clean them, too. Use a steam cleaning machine to ensure they’re thoroughly cleaned. You can hire a professional to do it. You can get rid of carpet stains through steam cleaning. But remember that the carpet does not dry instantly so this must be done last.

Outside Areas

While your rental unit’s interiors are important when conducting cleaning and renovations, you should also take notice of the outside of your property. Garbage bins should be cleaned and trash shouldn’t be in sight.

Schedule time for mowing the lawn and removing the garden weeds. Rake the leaves and consider using a jet wash to remove dirt or mold.

Bottom Line

You can now impress your new renters with a spotless property when conducting a showing. This leads to having a steady income. If you’re looking for a reputable property manager, contact Peak Residential today!