Table of Contents
Introduction
Moving from a rental property can never be empty of stress, but ensuring your bond return goes through will surely be one of the priorities. Following a basic cleaning checklist at the end of a lease is essential, as it’s not just about meeting landlords’ standards but also enables you to get your full bond deposit returned. A basic cleaning checklist ensures that you avoid disputes, and a clear plan makes things easier. This article will discuss the key steps and checklists to help you attain a stress-free bond return.
2. General Cleaning Rules to Get Your Bond Back
When cleaning for a bond back, following general cleaning rules will ensure you leave nothing out in particular, and the property is immaculate. Key rules include:
• Clean only external surfaces unless reasons for an inside microwave or refrigerator add-on service are sought.
• No harsh chemicals on food prep areas: All cleaning products used in the kitchen must be food-safe.
• Work from top to bottom, left to right. It would prevent cross-contamination and would also make sure all areas are covered.
• Plan, do, and check: Do this room by room and try to finish one floor at a time.
Your cleaning will go smoothly and efficiently if you follow these guidelines.
3. Room-by-Room Bond Return Cleaning Checklist
Cleaning up each room methodically is a must for any triumphant bond return. Here’s how one must go about it:
• Bedrooms: Dust all surfaces, clean the window sills, and vacuum well, especially in the corners.
• Living Room: Ensure dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning of all electronic devices, ensuring furniture and skirting boards are wiped clean.
• Scour the kitchen: Clean all surfaces, appliances, and cupboards. Ensure that the oven and stove are clean.
• Bathrooms: This includes cleaning the bathrooms’ tiles, sinks, and fixtures. In addition, bathrooms have several high-touch areas, such as handles and light switches, that should be disinfected.
It is a room-by-room checklist that helps you basically not miss out on something regarding cleaning at the end of the lease.
4. Cleaning of the Kitchen to Return the Bond Successfully
The kitchen is usually the most challenging and time-consuming room to clean when preparing for the bond return. Here’s what you do:
• All Kitchen Cupboards and Cabinets: These would all need to be wiped down internally and externally for any remaining crumbly bits and dirt.
• Countertops and Sink: Use a non-abrasive cleaner for cleaning discoloration on countertops and giving shine to the sink.
• Oven, Stovetop, Microwave, and Other Installed Appliances Deep Cleaning: Oven cleaning is crucial to ensure the house’s inspection.
• Floors and Kickboards: The floors will be wet mopped and disinfected to ensure the kickboards remain clean.
In so doing, you will be leaving your kitchen in perfect order. This would go a long way in increasing your chances of getting your bond back.
5. Bathroom Cleaning: Making It Spotless
Bathrooms are more prone to mould and grime; hence, they need extra care. Here is a detailed checklist for bond return:
• Sinks, Cabinets, and Countertops: Wipe down all surfaces using a disinfectant, leaving no streaks or watermarks.
• Showers and Bathtubs: Ensure all tiles, grout, and glass are scrubbed and mould removed.
• Toilet and Mirrors: Clean the toilet bowl and mirrors, ensuring there is no streaking left.
• Floors: Vacuum the floors and then mop them to ensure they are clean of all spots.
The bathroom is one of the most scrutinised rooms in any property, hence the need for thorough cleaning.
6. Bond Return Checklist for Living Room and Bedroom Cleaning
It is all about attention to detail with your living room and bedroom. Refer to this following checklist to ensure you get your bond back:
• Cabinets and Drawers: Dust all cabinets inside and outside and ensure no dust is visible.
• Cleaning of Mirrors and Window Sills: Overall deep cleaning of mirrors and window sills to avoid any streaks or dust gathering.
• Skirting Boards and Floors: Carpets to be hoovered, floors mopped, and skirting boards to be wiped.
This checklist will ensure all parts of these rooms are spotlessly clean so as to make it hard for the landlord to withhold any part of your bond.
7. Why Vacuuming and Mopping are Crucial for Bond Return
Dusting and vacuuming are the easy ones, but these little things can be just what your bond return is relying on. Places that you generally ignore during regular cleanings tend to become the focal point of the landlords when inspections are involved. Pay attention to the following areas:
• Floors and Carpets: All the carpets and floors must be hoovered in a manner while not a single dust particle and dirt is left behind, especially in different corners.
• Furniture: This includes dusting all the furniture surfaces and tender cleaning of the electronic parts.
• Fans and Lights: Cleaning unreachable areas of ceiling fans and light fixtures that accumulate dust.
It’s those little touches that will make all the difference in the presentation of the property and which will help you get your bond back.
8. Benefits of Hiring Professional Bond Cleaners for End of lease
The following are some advantages of hiring professional bond cleaners with the thought of getting a full bond return:
• Professional Equipment and Methods: They have industrial-type equipment and products that provide deep and thorough cleaning.
• Experience and Knowledge: Professional cleaners know how landlords want things done and the type of inspection to be used; therefore, no place will pass unscrutinized.
• Time Efficiency: Cleaning professionals will do the job faster and a whole lot better compared to doing it all by yourself, which will save you so much-needed time going through the rest of your move.
While hiring professionals, one can ensure a smoother process and a higher likelihood of securing the full bond return.
9. Ways to Have Maximum Bond Return using End Lease Cleaning
Summing up, here are some last steps that will ensure the success of the bond return:
• Final Walk-through: After cleaning, there is a need for a final walk-through to see spots that may have been missed.
• Check the Inspection Report: Go back to your condition report from the beginning of your lease and make certain everything is in the same condition.
• Hire a Bond Cleaning Service: Hire a professional bond back cleaning service that has a guarantee if you are short on time.
Just follow these steps yourself to ensure everything is done, and the property is left in optimal condition for your bond return.
Conclusion
The secret to a complete bond return is comprehensive cleaning at the end of the lease. Whether you choose to do the cleaning yourself or go through professional cleaners, you should follow an organized approach, leaving no corner un-touched. Pay extra attention to the areas that receive high traffic, use the right products, and take necessary time to double-check for the most impressive results. A good end-of-lease clean will increase your chances of a bond return, but more importantly, it’s a stress-free move.
FAQs
1. What are the most important things to be cleaned for bond return?
Pay a bit more attention to the kitchen, bathroom, and all high-traffic areas like the living room and hallways.
2. Is It Worth Employing Professional Bond Cleaners?
Yes, the professionals have the necessary experience and equipment to meet landlord expectations, thereby increasing your possibilities of receiving your full bond.
3.What are some common cleaning mistakes likely to affect my bond return?
Common issues that can see deductions from bonds include missing hidden areas, oven neglect, and dust on window sills and skirting boards.