In the rental process, it is necessary to pay the rental bond once you have signed a contract. The rental bond is usually used as insurance against damage, arrears in rent payment, and untidiness in the rented space. The primary problem for most tenants when it comes to completing their tenancy agreements is getting the total bond amount back. But this is where disputes begin.
The primary cause of most disputes among tenants who do not receive their entire bond is untidiness. The general idea is that by simply ensuring the place is just a little tidier, the landlord would be pleased. That is not always the case since the bond must be maintained in order to ensure maximum cleanliness at the rental premises. This article outlines the standard of cleanliness expected of a tenant in order to reclaim the whole bond.
Important Stats That You Need To Know
According to OzClean, nearly 60% of claims arise from insufficient cleaning and 70%-80% of bond deductions are associated with cleanliness issues. This includes kitchen hygiene and bathroom hygiene along with carpet hygiene and dustiness.
The average number of rooms for inspection varies from 30 to 50 rooms. Each room needs to be in move-in condition and there should be no exceptions. The lack of one room can result in 10%-40% bond deductions.
What Your Landlords and Agents Expect From You?
One of the main criteria for all rental contracts is that the property should be returned in the same condition that it was when you signed the tenancy contract, except any permissible wear and tear.
But same condition does not mean just some cleaning. In some cases a professional level cleaning is meant which is often called move-in ready.
Then the property manager will compare your initial condition report with your final one, and if they see there is dirt, grime, neglect, or any other such thing in the reports, they will deduct your money from the bond for cleaning costs.
Property managers expect to find:
- A completely clean home
- No dust or dirt anywhere inside
- Nothing at all left behind except what you’ve been allowed to leave there
- Properly cleaned surfaces everywhere
Some critical places for inspections include the kitchen, the bathroom, the floors, walls, windows, and many more.
Room by Room Cleaning Standards
Kitchen
Kitchen sections get inspected heavily. Degreasing and sanitization must take place.
Here are some of your responsibilities:
- Interior and exterior cleaning of the oven
- Degreasing of stove and range hood
- Wiping cabinets, shelves, and drawers
- Sanitization of sink and its fixtures, drains
- Defrosting and sanitization of fridge and freezer
- Clean grease and residue from all surfaces
Even little amounts of grease can lower your grade.
Bathroom
Maintain bathrooms with commercial levels of cleanliness.
Here are some duties:
- Removal of soap scum, lime scale, and mold from surfaces
- Complete cleaning of the toilet bowl inside and out
- Cleaning shower doors, tiles, and grout
- Shine sinks and faucets
- Fix drain clogs and odors
One mistake that is very common is forgetting to clean grout.
Living Spaces and Bedrooms
These rooms should have no dust particles visible.
The following tasks are needed to be done:
- Carpet cleaning either by vacuuming or steam cleaning
- Cleaning of hard floors
- Skirting boards and ceiling fans along with vents need dusting
- Internal cleaning of the wardrobes and cupboards
- Remove any stain on the walls
Carpet stains lead to deduction in the bond amount.
Windows and Doors
It is often not paid attention but it is also a very important area to clean.
You should:
- Both sides of the windows need to be cleaned (when possible)
- Clean window tracks and frames
- Fingerprints on the doors and door handles need to be wiped
- Clean light switches and power points
- Blinds must be clean and operational
If there are stains on the window tracks and dusty blinds, then you may face challenges during your inspection.
Reasons That May Lead to Losing Your Bond as a Tenant
There are many small mistakes that make you lose money due to your tenancy issues, and some of them are:
- Not taking care of any hidden areas including those under the furniture and appliances
- Not cleaning the oven and extracting greases in the kitchen
- Failure to get rid of bathroom mold
- Not having carpets professionally cleaned when needed
- Keeping garbage or other items in the house
- Not cleaning walls, light fixtures, and skirting boards
While all other areas of the house might be kept perfectly tidy, even one mistake can be costly.
Also Know: What Are The Most Common Reasons For Bond Deductions
Professional Cleaning VS Personal One
While compared to professional cleaning, cleaning the house by yourself means spending much time and effort and being proficient in it.
The advantages of using cleaning services include:
- Following the checklist made by the landlord
- Using the specialized equipment
- Cleaning guarantee sometimes offered
- Cleaner and harder to reach places such as ovens and carpets
Personal work may be done effectively but sometimes will not be sufficient.
Check out: Signs You Need Professional Cleaning Instead of DIY Before Vacating
Approach by Inspection Checklist
With this approach, your chances of getting your bond back are much higher.
Some useful strategies include:
- Comparing your first condition report with the checklist
- Taking photos before and after you vacate the property
- Cleaning systematically starting from one room and going on to another
- Going into those hard to reach places (for example, behind closed doors and cabinets)
- Fixing small damages, such as nail marks and stains
- Consider it your final exam; everything counts.
Also Read: Top Tips To Pass Your Rental Inspection
Other Areas of Your Rental
There are other parts of your rental which are normally overlooked but inspected during the process:
- These are outside areas such as patios, gardens, and balconies
- Garage and storerooms inside the property
- Removing all traces of nails, screws, and glue
- Cutting your grass according to your rental agreement
- Pest control in some cases
Tips That Helps You To Ensure Your Bond Refunded
There are a few things that you should follow to ensure that you get your bond in its total amount.
Here’s the tips:
- Start cleaning before the date of moving out
- Ensure that the cleaning process is carried out in an organized manner
- Take photos in every room as proof
- Ensure that the damages have been fixed before the inspection process
- Employ the services of cleaners in hard-to-clean areas like the kitchen and carpeted areas
In simple terms, all you have to do is ensure that the place appears as if no one had ever stayed in it.
Conclusion
Your bond money will depend on the state of cleanliness of the rental apartment that you are leaving. Usually, landlords like it when the rented premises are professionally cleaned before the bond is returned. By ensuring that all rooms are clean, you will be able to get back your entire bond. You can also take help from professionals like Best Bond Cleaning.
FAQs
What areas are important when doing end of lease cleaning?
There are particular areas that the landlord will be keen to inspect and include the kitchen, bathroom, carpets, windows, and all the corners, for instance, the skirting board and even the spaces at the back of the furniture. Inspection of these areas will be done thoroughly, and any hint of dirt, grease, and stains will lead to a bond deduction.
Can leaving out one single area cost me my bond?
Yes, any area, however small, that is left untidy can lead to the deduction of your bond. Most of the time, an inspection report will be thorough and list the areas being inspected, therefore, making sure that you inspect everything. Dirt on the oven and stained carpets or any untidiness in the bathroom will lead to bond deductions.
Is there a need for professional cleaning?
Professional cleaning is not required but many landlords request the same. About half of all the renters hire professional cleaning services since it entails checking of all the areas including oven, carpets, and bathrooms.
Why is kitchen cleaning considered so important during bond inspection?
The kitchen is always thoroughly examined because it is full of grease, marks, and smell. Oven, stove, and range hood should also be inspected carefully. Poor kitchen cleaning may become the cause for bond deductions during the inspection process.
How can I get the full bond amount back with guarantee?
You need to have a checklist, clean all rooms well, and return the property to its original state mentioned in the condition report. The greatest focus is to be made on risky rooms, for example, the kitchen or bathroom. Photos of all damages should also be taken.
