A well-kept rental property can make a world of difference in streamlining your move-out process at the end of your tenancy. By Residential Tenancy Laws in WA, a rental house or apartment must be returned in a reasonable condition, i.e., clean, organised and germ-free. Overlooking important spots or dirt-laden surfaces may lead to unwanted disputes and bond deductions. Tenants are legally tied to conduct a thorough vacate cleaning in Perth to pass the rental inspection without any disagreement.
Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about vacate cleaning or bond cleaning in the rental property market. Most tenants don’t even know the basics and randomly follow anything they find on the internet. This can do more harm than good, leading to disputes, bond penalties and security deductions.
Fret not! Today, we are debunking the 10 most common vacate cleaning myths with reality to help create a hygienic and spotless indoor environment. It will help you maintain set cleaning standards, leaving a great impression on your landlord or property manager.
Let’s Get Started!
- Myth: “Vacate Cleaning is Just a Regular Cleaning Session”
- Myth: “DIY Cleaning is As Effective As a Professional Service”
- Myth: Professional Cleaning Means Full Bond Return
- Myth: You Need Expensive Cleaning Products For Spotless Results”
- Myth: Outdoor Areas Are Not Included
- Myth: It’s Enough to Dust Visible Areas
- Myth: Bond Cleaning Can Be Left To the Last
- Myth: You Don’t Need to Clean the Oven or Stovetop
- Myth: You Can Skip Carpets If they Look Clean
- Myth: Use Hot Water to Kill Germs
- Wrapping Up
1. Myth: “Vacate Cleaning is Just a Regular Cleaning Session”
Reality: This is one of the biggest misconceptions among renters in Perth. However, vacate or end of lease cleaning is more detailed, result-oriented and requires a professional expertise. It is a one-time deep cleaning session that eliminates built-up dirt, grime, grease and gunk from every nook and cranny. It is beyond regular dusting, vacuuming and mopping floors.
It is performed according to the pre-approved cleaning checklist, covering walls, ceilings, windows, kitchen surfaces, appliances, sink, bathroom fixtures, door tracks, carpets and floors. The main objective is to meet the landlord's cleaning expectations to secure full bond money during the end of a tenancy.
2. Myth: “DIY Cleaning is As Effective As a Professional Service”
Reality: Most renters prefer DIY cleaning before the final rental inspection and end up losing a significant part of their bond money. According to the tenancy laws and agreement, renters must return the property in a pristine state, i.e. reasonably clean. To achieve that spotless shine, you need highly-trained vacate cleaning Perth professionals as they have years of experience in tackling stubborn stains and caked-on gunk.
You may not have the proper tools and products to clean hard-to-reach areas, but professionals do. They bring heavy-duty vacuum cleaners, assorted brushes, sponges, telescopic dusters, de-greasers, mops, etc, to match the highest cleaning standards without leaving a sign of dirt and grime behind.
Tip: If you are tight on budget, do proper research and compare quotes to book a professional service within your estimated budget.
3. Myth: Professional Cleaning Means Full Bond Return
Reality: A professional and meticulous move-out cleaning only increases the chances of securing the bond money. Of course, tenants should focus on attention-to-detail cleaning, adhering to the landlord's expectations, but consider other crucial factors as well.
Most tenants lose their bond money due to property damage issues, mould infestation, outstanding rent, breaching the lease agreement and other reasons mentioned in the legal document. So, it is good to read all the tenant roles and responsibilities during and at the end of your lease and refer to your property condition report to avoid bond deductions and penalties.
4. Myth: You Need Expensive Cleaning Products For Spotless Results”
Reality: Store-bought expensive cleaning solvents and disinfectants won’t determine the success of your rental inspection. On the contrary, these products contain harmful chemicals and VOCs that can cause indoor air pollution, leading to potential health hazards and respiratory issues.
The reality is that you can achieve the same level of cleanliness using affordable and eco-friendly products. Using white vinegar, baking soda, lemon, castile soap, hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, etc can help you de-grease oven, microwave, bathroom tiles, windows inside and outside, carpets and other surfaces efficiently. You can promote a healthy and hygienic indoor environment without using fancy products.
5. Myth: Outdoor Areas Are Not Included
Reality: Don't fall for this myth, as it can lead to unwanted deductions in your bond money. Exterior areas are as important as interiors when preparing your rental property before the final move-out. Many companies include patio areas, garage walls, exterior windows and decks in the pre-approved checklist for a detailed vacate cleaning Perth. A clean and well-maintained exterior area can enhance the property's overall curb appeal, making it easy to attract new occupants.
You can also outsource pressure washing as an additional service to impress your landlord or property manager. It is good to ask necessary questions about bond cleaning inclusions and exclusions before making the final decision.
6. Myth: It’s Enough to Dust Visible Areas
Reality: Of course, cleaning visible areas is important, but landlords thoroughly inspect every nook and cranny before returning the bond amount. They expect the property to be as clean as it was at the beginning of the lease. So, it is important to clean:
- Ceiling fans and blades
- Light fixtures and fittings
- Drawers inside and outside
- Air vents and exhaust fans
- Window sills and tracks
- Tiles and grout lines
- Area around faucets
- Garbage disposal
- Range hood filters
- Underneath heavy furniture
- Showerhead and curtains, etc
Follow a top-to-bottom cleaning approach to cover every nook and cranny without missing any important spots. Use microfiber cloths, toothbrushes and crevice tools to get into tight spaces easily.
7. Myth: Bond Cleaning Can Be Left To the Last
Reality: It is a myth that move-out cleaning should be carried out on the day of the property inspection. In fact, it can be chaotic and stressful for tenants. The reality is that detailed cleaning may take a few hours or even a day, depending on the property's size and condition, to achieve the desired results. So, schedule the service as early as possible to avoid a rush. Ideally, it should be performed a day or two before the final inspection.
Tip: Do market research to understand the estimated cost when hiring experts in your local area.
8. Myth: You Don’t Need to Clean the Oven or Stovetop
Reality: The kitchen appliances, especially the oven and stovetop, are among the most overlooked things when cleaning. Leaving them dirty may result in bond money deductions in Perth. Ensure you remove buildup grease, food splatters, burnt particles, oil splatters and gunk inside and outside these appliances using vinegar and baking soda. Also, clean your microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker and dishwasher.
9. Myth: You Can Skip Carpets If they Look Clean
Reality: Embedded dust, dirt and pet hair in your carpet can pollute the indoor air. Landlords pay attention to these details, and thus, you need to deep clean your carpets and rugs before the final move-out. Cleaning with high-powered and HEPA-filtered vacuums can deep clean the fabrics. You can also use vinegar solution to blot stains or hire experts for steam cleaning. This can restore the shine of your carpets without causing any damage.
10. Myth: Use Hot Water to Kill Germs
Reality: One of the most common cleaning myths is that hot water alone can effectively banish lethal germs and bacteria. There is no denying that hot water can result in efficient cleaning, but it won't kill all germs. You need water at a temperature higher than 140 degrees F to disinfect contaminated surfaces. It is hard to achieve in a home setup. Instead, use the combination of boiling water and disinfectant, like rubbing alcohol, to kill lingering germs to pass your rental inspection.
Debunking Common Vacate Cleaning Myths
Wrapping Up
These are some of the most common vacate cleaning myths that need to be debunked to attain optimistic results. It is important to separate facts from common myths when preparing your rental property for the final inspection to secure your hard-earned bond money.