You are nearing the end of a relationship.
A relationship with your landlord and current property, that is.
As you are raring to move to a new location and start fresh, getting your old place back into shape (and ready for a new occupant) means that an end of lease clean is required.
Wear and Tear Versus Damages
Renting a living space comes with its own set of pros and cons. Most often, you’d be moving in (or out) of a property that already has some signs of wear and tear from previous tenants and there really is nothing you can do about such things.
As a tenant, you should know when the landlord is being fair to you when you have intentions of moving out in the foreseeable future. You might be charged for damages that you are not responsible for.
As with any home, some parts would eventually show deterioration over time. For example, floorboards would look dull, especially when it is being stepped on on a daily basis. Other signs of wear and tear include:
● Cracking, peeling, fading paint
● Faded wallpaper
● Faded carpet
● Loose grout in between tiles
● Bathroom fixtures that look worn, such as the enamel in toilets and sinks
● Mild clogging of sinks due to aging water pipes
● Wooden floorboards in need of a new coat of varnish
When something intentional has been done to alter or depreciate the value of the property, this is already considered “damages” and would require the landlord to seek additional fees from the tenant. For example, if you have recently moved in and you find that the wallpaper is fading and you want it changed, without asking permission from the landlord, this could cause more harm than good. Avoid doing the following whenever you rent space:
● Changing wallpaper without asking permission
● Burns and stains on the carpet
● Chipped or cracked sinks and bathtub
● Broken windows
● Unhinged doors
● Clogged sinks and toilets due to improper hygiene and use
By simply being aware, additional costs can be prevented when you move to another property.
Why You Need an End of Lease Cleaning
If you are in a position where you need to move out and the property you are currently living in is being leased to you, you are required to spruce it up before handing over the keys to the landlord.
The property needs to look as if it has never been lived in before so that it is ready for occupancy for the next tenant. Your landlord will also be handing over your security bond once he or she is satisfied with the way the place was cleaned.
What If I Don’t Do It?
Your landlord will most likely deduct a certain amount from your security bond. This is also a great opportunity to check the contract or written agreement you had with your landlord. If having a deep clean or end of lease cleaning is required before you move out, you will need to enlist the help of professional cleaners.
Can I Do It Myself?
This is strongly discouraged, as you might not be able to meet the standards of the landlord. There are also some cleaning tasks that only professional cleaners can handle (anyone up for scrubbing off grime?)
Another point to consider is that some landlords and real estate agents might ask for a receipt from a professional cleaning company as proof that you have left the property as clean as when you moved in. Getting it back to their level of standards will ensure you that your security bond will be returned.
Here are other reasons why getting professional cleaners is worth every penny:
- You don’t have to worry about it since you will also be thinking about moving in to a new place. You have more time to think about other important details about this change in your life.
- Attempting to do it yourself might cost you money. Buying cleaning tools and materials that professional cleaners already have at their disposal will come off as a waste.
- The convenience of not worrying about such a trivial part of your moving experience is enough reason to hire professional cleaners.
When Do I Get an End of Lease Cleaning?
Typically it says so on your contract so it is best to check when that deadline is so you can easily book cleaners. However, if you have to suddenly vacate the property then it is a wise decision to have the place in order for your landlord to check.
Typical Time Frame of an End of Lease Clean
How long an end of lease takes depends on how big and dirty the property is.
Typically speaking, you can expect an end of lease cleaning to last around two to eight hours with two to three cleaners doing different cleaning tasks simultaneously.
What Does an End of Lease Clean Include?
This type of cleaning job requires extra care and attention on the part of the cleaners. Typical tasks included in an end of lease cleaning include:
- Walls wiped clean
- Windows wiped clean, inside and out
- The cupboards are clean, both inside and on top
- The floors are vacuumed and mopped clean
- Window tracks are also cleaned
- The kitchen, laundry room, and bathrooms are cleaned
- Surfaces are wiped down and any marks or stains are removed (except those that have been pre existing)
- Curtains and blinds are cleaned
- The oven is cleaned as well
There are other cleaning tasks that you may want to request from a cleaner, such as:
- Cleaning the dishwasher
- Cleaning the pool
- Having the carpets steam cleaned
- Having the upholstery cleaned as well (mattresses, couches, and such)
How Much Will It Cost?
An end of lease cleaning job will typically cost you around $150-$250 for a two-bedroom apartment.
Prices are solely dependent on how big your property is, the state it is in, how many cleaners are needed, and how long it will take for them to finish the task.
When you call up a professional cleaning company, make sure to mention the following details so a fairly reliable quote is given:
- The number of bedrooms
- How many bathrooms there are
- Any cleaning you have done (if any)
- How many square metres your property is
- Your suburb or location
- Any extra cleaning tasks you would want to have done
- If this is an urgent cleaning job or not
- If the cleaning will take place on a weekday or weekend
Mentioning these will surely give you a clear idea of how much you need to shell out for an end of lease clean.
What is Not Included in an End of Lease Cleaning Service?
Even professional cleaners can’t totally get rid of everything.
There are certain areas of the home that, try as we might, simply cannot be cleaned.
Molds – Molds leave an unsightly mark on walls and though it can be cleaned, you might need to call a specialist to get rid of the cause of the problem. Mold marks will keep coming back, no matter how much anyone attempts to clean them.
Discolouration– We use professional-grade cleaning tools and materials but there are some items in the property that have already discoloured over time and no amount of bleach can really bring it back to its original glory.
Danger zones – If we feel that a part of the property could put us in great risk, we generally avoid it. For example, if there is a broken or open socket, that immediate area would not be cleaned. Bio-hazardous waste management is generally not part of any cleaners’ checklist as well.
While an attempt to clean up your place before moving out might sound admirable, leave to the professionals to get the job done for you. Our knowledge and expertise in the field of cleaning translates to clients who have always been satisfied with our services.
Book any of our professional cleaners today and make that transition from one home to another seamlessly.
