Common Mistakes to Avoid During Your Rental Exit in Australia

Vacating a rental property can be distressing for many renters. The process is more than a property handover. Unsurprisingly, it determines the fate of your hard earned rental bond. The Residential Tenancy Laws in Australia clearly outline the cleaning obligations for tenants.

Returning the property in a dirty or unkempt condition can lead to bond deductions and penalties. Since there is a lot on your plate, you can’t risk making silly blunders. Take the professional end of lease cleaning Adelaide task seriously and follow a proper checklist to impress your landlord at the end of your tenancy.

Instead of rushing the process, refer to your initial condition report, compare the current condition and prepare for the rental inspection accordingly. Unfortunately, most tenants overlook crucial aspects and make mistakes that can turn into awful disputes.

Fret not! In this guide, we’ll discuss common pitfalls to avoid when preparing your property for the final rental inspection in Australia. You can also find relevant solutions that can help you stay on track throughout the process.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Underestimating the Cleaning Time

This is one of the tenants’ most common blunders when preparing the property at the end of a tenancy. A thorough bond cleaning is more than a standard clean up session. It is not just about dusting visible surfaces, sweeping or mopping the floors.

Instead, it is a time consuming task that may take three to four hours or even a day depending on the size and condition of your property. So, don’t leave cleaning to the last minute. There are potential repercussions of last minute rush, leading to half baked cleaning or missed spots.

How to Avoid It:

Always create a customised cleaning checklist with a timeline. Simplifying difficult cleaning tasks by breaking them into manageable chunks or areas can also help you manage time.

Also, stock up on all the necessary cleaning supplies and products ahead of time to save time and energy. If you work strategically, begin the decluttering process a week before your inspection day.

2. Neglecting Important Areas/Spots

Did you know landlords and property managers conduct thorough inspections before releasing the rental bond? Unfortunately, most tenants lose their bond money due to overlooked areas in the property.

There is no denying that surface level cleaning is standard, but you need to go an extra mile for hard to reach areas and spots that have been overlooked for long time. That’s where a pre approved cleaning checklist comes in.

Professional end of lease cleaning Adelaide experts follow the top-to-bottom approach to cover every nook and cranny. Ensure you clean the following spots to secure your bond money:

• Ceiling Fans and Light fixtures
• Window Tracks, Sills and Blinds
• Skirting Boards and Baseboards
• Door Frames
• Range Hood and Filter
• Air Vents
• Kitchen Appliances
• Bathroom Grout Lines
• Underneath Heavy Furniture, etc

Take one room at a time and clean from top to bottom for efficient and effective results.

3. Failing to Understand Landlord’s Specific Requirements/ Cleaning Obligations

Most property managers and landlords in Australia provide a pre approved cleaning checklist or include specific cleaning obligations in the lease agreement. Most tenants don’t cross check the necessary requirements and end up losing their bond money.

It is important to carefully read and understand your cleaning clauses and obligations, including steam cleaning of upholstery or carpets, mould and mildew removal and much more.

It is also essential to have a clear communication with your landlord before the final move out, especially related to cleaning.

4. Applying Harsh Cleaning Chemicals to Delicate Surfaces

Most people use strong cleaning chemicals on everything to remove stubborn stains, buildup grease and grime. This can do more harm than good, especially when cleaning delicate surfaces like unsealed wooden surfaces, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, limestone surfaces and grout lines.

Ammonia based products, bleach and even acidic agents may damage or warp the surface, leading to costly repairs. What’s worse? Store bought cleaners can pollute the indoor air, causing respiratory disorders or skin irritation if not used properly.

How to Avoid It:

• Read Labels: You should check the ingredient list on the label of a store bought product. If using green cleaners, check their environmental certifications to ensure the product is sustainable and safe.
• Prepare DIY Natural Cleaners: Use the power of kitchen staples like white vinegar, baking soda, lemon, warm water, and salt for cleaning purposes. White vinegar is a natural, acidic cleaner that can remove pet stains, grime, rust, calcium deposits and streaks from almost all surfaces, except for natural stone surfaces.
• Use Baking Soda or Castile Soap on Natural Stone Surfaces: Baking soda is alkaline and works wonders in removing buildup grease, oil stains, grime and gunk effectively. Clean marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, and tile grouts, while castile soap is great for all types of floors.
• Test First: Do a patch test even using natural cleaning products. Apply the product on a hidden area, most likely, behind the door or at the bottom, to see how it reacts.

5. Neglecting Necessary Property Repairs

Passing the final rental inspection goes beyond spotless cleaning. This also includes addressing minor damages that have occurred during your tenancy. According to the Residential Tenancy Laws in Australia, tenants must return the property in the same condition as at the start of a tenancy, beyond fair wear and tear. However, it is important to contact your landlords immediately in case of major damage.

Inspect all the rooms thoroughly and check for potential damages, such as broken doors, windows, leaky taps, large scuff marks on the wall, etc. Fix them as soon as possible for your four weeks’ rental bond.

Tip: Refer to the property condition report and check photos and videos because you are not responsible to fix pre existing damages.

6. Not Considering Outdoor Areas For Cleaning

Many renters deep clean the property’s interiors, forgetting that exterior parts also need attention to detail cleaning. Whether a small patio area or a shared driveway, exterior parts can quickly collect heavy dust, dirt and soil.

Clean patio floors, wipe down furniture, and pressure wash driveways. If you have a garage, remove cobwebs and insect marks from the walls and mop the floors. Washing windows, decks and walls is also an essential part of end of lease cleaning.

7. Skipping Professional Assistance When Needed

Everyone wants to save money, especially when preparing for an expensive move out process. However, DIY sessions are often linked to the risk of damaging surfaces, inconsistent results, lack of professional grade equipment and difficult to remove tough stains from important areas. This way, you may end up losing your hard earned bond money.

Though there is no legal obligation to hire professionals, they can help you meet the set cleaning standards easily. They can target areas that are often overlooked during the regular cleaning session. The best part is that reliable end of lease cleaning Adelaide providers offers a bond back guarantee with a free re clean service in case of missed spots. If you are running low on budget, do proper research and compare at least four to five cleaning quotes to make an informed decision within your estimated budget.

Wrapping Up

Cleaning mistakes are inevitable. However, gaining experience from trial and error can make a world of difference. If you are at the end of your tenancy, consider this article and avoid some of the most common pitfalls. This can help you pass your rental inspection without any dispute or conflict.