Moving can be an overwhelming process, and when you consider the fact that you need to pack up your current home, it can compound the stress. When you have found your Melbourne movers and are ready to move, the only thing pending is leaving your current rented home without any issues.
For Melbourne renters, securing your bond is conditional and contingent on leaving the home in proper condition, ready for use for the next tenants. A deep clean doesn’t involve a quick wash and wipe; it’s about meeting the high standards of a landlord and ensuring the house is in excellent condition, just the way the renters found it.
The end of lease cleaning Melbourne can feel like a monumental task, but with a strategic approach, proper planning and a checklist, you can easily manage it without any stress. This guide helps you break down everything you need and is the perfect end of lease cleaning checklist, ensuring you’re ready for that final inspection.
How to Get Your Bond Back: The Importance of a Bond Cleaning Checklist
When leaving a rented property, securing the return of your bond is very important, and it all starts with planning. A bond cleaning checklist is crucial because it aligns your efforts and cleaning with what the property manager will check during their walkthrough and assessing your apartment.
For this, your lease agreement and original entry report are great resources to look at, as they would have explained the condition of the house when you moved in. By going through each room and area of your house, you can increase your chances of a smooth and straightforward transition.
This checklist is designed to guide you through the process, give you clarity and help you manage your time and efforts. You can choose to hire professional cleaners or try a DIY job, either way, these steps will cover the small and big details of a clean.
Melbourne Rental Property Cleaning: A Room-by-Room Guide
Task batching is the best way to make the cleaning process less scary. Breaking it into room by room tasks will make your life easier. Just the way you find a removalist you can trust for your move; following a plan you can trust is ideal. As long as you are thorough and follow a plan, you can do a great job. Starting with ceilings and then working your way down is a good way to avoid double work and re-cleaning.
Vacate Cleaning Checklist
This vacate cleaning checklist covers all the major areas of a rental home and you can use it as a guide for essential tasks.
1. General Areas (Living room, hallways, bedrooms):
- Dust and wipe down all surfaces, including window sills, architraves and any gaps
- Clean every nook and cranny, from light switches, power points, wardrobes and shelves
- Wipe down doors and door frames and any holes around them.
- Use a damn cloth or a magic eraser to remove scruff marks off walls, but be mindful to not damage the pain
- Vacuum and mop hard floors, ensure all cobwebs are removed from ceilings and corners
2. Kitchen:
- Deep oven cleaning is non-negotiable. Remove racks, soak them, scrub interiors and exteriors to ensure it is as good as new
- Wipe down all cabinets, from inside and out
- Cleaning appliances and stoves is essential, including the stovetop and dishwasher
- Ensure to give the sink and taps a thorough wash
- Ensure the fridge is empty, clean and neat, if it came with the house
3. Bathrooms and Laundry:
- Scrub showers, showerheads, wet areas, sinks and toilets, ensuring grouts and drains are clean
- Wipe down all mirrors and glass surfaces
- Clean the vanity cabinets, drawers and benchtops
- Wipe down the walls and floors
- Remove any mould or cobwebs
- Ensure the washer and dryer is clean; as cleaning bathrooms and laundry is essential
4. Windows and Fixtures:
- Clean all windows, blinds, and light fixtures. This includes wiping down frames, tracks and sills
- Dust and wipe all light fittings, fans, vents and filters
5. Outdoors:
- Cleaning outdoor areas and yards can be part of the lease agreement; check once and sweep balconies, decks and patios
- Ensure the yard is mowed, gardens are tidy, and any rubbish is removed from the property.
- Clean out the letterbox and ensure all litterboxes are empty
6. Carpet Cleaning:
Many lease agreements in Melbourne require professional carpet steam cleaning for carpets. Review your agreement for the conditions of your bond return, and hire a professional service that can provide you a receipt for proof for your property manager.
The Final Walkthrough and Getting Your Bond Refund
Once you have completed cleaning up, the final inspection is next. Ensure you are present for the inspection as you can address any issues or concerns immediately. Make sure you have copies of all receipts, especially for professional services like carpet cleaning.
The goal is a smooth transition, and getting your bond refund. Once the property manager is satisfied, they will sign off on the bond release form and your money is reunited with you!
Avoiding Bond Deduction: Key Considerations
Avoiding bond deduction is important for any family. If you leave the house in the same state as when you came in, aside from basic wear and tear, it should be all right. This is why cleaning and being thorough is necessary.
Hence, if any minor repairs are needed such as filling up small holes or painting a patch of walls, it’s better to get this done beforehand rather than risking a larger deduction from your bond.
When preparing for your move, find sustainable ways to declutter and work with furniture removalists in Melbourne who will be careful while moving everything, to reduce risk of any extra damage and costs. A professional company can be a blessing as they allow you to focus on the cleaning, while your move and transition is made simple.
Your Bond Return Guarantee
Moving into a new home should be a celebratory occasion and moment for you. Don’t let this end of lease cleaning shift your focus. Follow the vacate cleaning checklist properly and the landlord final inspection will be a breeze. While there’s no official bond return guarantee, your commitment to a thorough clean is the best way to ensure you’re in a strong position. Leaving a clean home is a great way to leave a positive final impression and also a good way to respect the home that gave you many positive memories. You can also move into your new home with peace of mind and happiness!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get my bond bank?
When leaving a Melbourne home, getting your bond back is often contingent on leaving your home in proper condition, with a final inspection by the landlord or property manager. Ensuring you do a deep clean so that house is pristine is the best possible option.
How can I make my move easy?
Work with a professional team of Melbourne movers who can help you plan, pack, move furniture and unpack into your new home. Ideally start planning 8-12 weeks before your move seamless and stress-free!
What should I be looking to clean before moving?
To be honest, the entire property. Create a proper and thorough checklist, from bedrooms to bathrooms, living areas to the kitchen. No room should be left behind and every surface, wall, ceiling and appliance should be cleaned. It’s important you do this to get your full bond returned to you.
Do I need to clean the carpet?
Yes, and you should hire a team for a professional carpet steam cleaning. You can vacuum it yourself and then hire someone for a deep clean. Collect the receipt from this cleaning company as you can use it as proof to show your property manager.
Do I need to be present for the landlord’s final inspection?
It is not necessary, but highly advised that you be present. This helps you go over any issues that arise on the spot, clear out any doubts and make a better case for yourself during the inspection. It gives you a better chance for your bond return guarantee.
