8 Cleaning Tips When Moving Out of Your Rental Property

8 Cleaning Tips When Moving Out of Your Rental Property

Talk to Your Landlord or Agent

The first thing you should do is talk to your landlord or agent. You should find out what they expect and what is required. What will make them happy? What will make them angry? It’s easier to make sure you’ve covered everything your landlord wants when cleaning before moving out if you have actually spoken to them. There’s no point doing more than you need to in order to get your bond back. By talking to your landlord you know what areas they will focus on, so you know where to focus your cleaning efforts. 

Clean Kitchen Countertops, Sinks, Cabinets and Appliances

Cleaning the benches and appliances in the kitchen is super important. Yes, you have probably been a bit lax whilst you lived there but they need to look as good as new before you ask for your bond back. This includes wiping down the stove and cleaning the inside of your oven.

Clean the Bathroom

Over time, bathrooms can build up a grime, soap scum, mineral deposits and mould. If it wasn’t there when you moved in then it needs to be gone when you move out. Wipe down the bath and shower. Wipe down the sink and taps. Clean the mirror. Clean the toilet bowl. Make sure you clean the bathroom thoroughly.

Clean the Floors

You need to clean all the floors. You may also need to steam clean your carpets. You need to scrub any tiles and you need to clean any floorboards as well. Make sure you do your best to remove any stains that may be there.

Clean and Fix the Walls

This is super important. You want to make sure there aren’t any holes or damage to the walls and that they are clean. If you need to grab a small can of paint and touch them up, do so. If anything is on the walls that’s noticeable you will not be getting your deposit back. Laws allow for “general wear and tear” so you probably don’t need to be too pedantic but that will depend on your agent and landlord.

Clean the Windows

It’s easy to spot dirty windows from a mile away. Especially if you’re an agent performing an inspection and looking for things like this. Make sure you don’t forget these. Usually only the inside needs to be cleaned, including the window tracks, but it’s best to check with your agent first. 

Dust the Fixtures

You should clean and dust all the light fixtures. They will make the rooms brighter and bright light will make everything else look cleaner. Your landlord will likely expect you to clean them.

Take Pictures When Finished

You should take pictures when you are finished, as you are moving out. Take lots of pictures. Floors, walls, the benchtops – everywhere. Make sure that you take lots of photos throughout the house in case there are any issues later on.

In fact, you should’ve taken pictures when you moved it too. If you’re looking for more information on How to Get Your Bond Back in NSW, then check out our other (more detailed) article by clicking the link. 

Here is a bonus 9th tip for you if this all sounds too hard – get someone else to do the cleaning for you. If you don’t have the time to do a proper clean, or you know that a professional house cleaning will just do a much better job to help you get your money back, it’s worth the investment. It will be significantly less than your bond.

When choosing a professional cleaner the three main factors to check out are their reviews, their experience and their expertise. We have many years of experience, great ratings, and know exactly what agents and landlords expect. You can have a look at the checklist we use on our FAQ page. We’d love to give you a no-obligation quote if you are looking for a professional cleaner when moving out of your rental property. We also offer a Bond Back Guarantee. So, create a customised quote online today.