Avoiding Common Pitfalls in End of Lease Cleaning: What Landlords Look For

Are you planning to move out of your rented property? Then you must be going through a busy schedule. As a result, there is a high possibility of losing track of many different things as well. Failing to commit to the end of leasing is one such example. That’s why we thought of sharing an article on the common pitfalls in end-of-lease cleaning. You can follow this article and make sure that you don’t make any mistakes when moving out. By doing that, you will never face any issues when getting back the security deposit.

Failing to clean without a plan

Before you start end-of-lease cleaning, it is important to prepare a plan. Your plan must include a checklist as well. It needs to cover each and every corner of your rental property. Failing to create such a plan will lead you to miss out on spots. As a result, you will not be able to please the landlord with results. That’s why you need to create a checklist before starting to work on end-of-lease cleaning. Then you can ensure complete cleanliness during the move-out inspection.

Cleaning before you vacate

You should clean your property right before you move out. Otherwise, you will face numerous challenges when cleaning. For example, imagine the struggles you have to go through when cleaning with furniture and other heavy appliances in place. They will not provide you with proper access to continue with cleaning. 

You should move out all your appliances and then start cleaning. It will help you to make the overall cleaning process more efficient. You will have convenient access to clean all areas of your property. Moreover, it will not create a mess that you have to deal with at a later stage.

Failing to attend to damage repair

Regular wear and tear of appliances and fixtures of your rental property can result in damages. During end-of-lease cleaning, you should pay attention to fixing these damages as well. For example, if you can see a broken air duct, you should promptly replace it. Otherwise, you will have to spend more money out of your security deposit to replace it. Likewise, pay special attention to wall marks as well. All your walls should be cleaned before returning the property back to the landlord.

Not using the correct vacuuming techniques

Carpets tend to accumulate a lot of dirt and grime during your stay. That’s why you will need to focus more on carpet cleaning. During carpet cleaning, you must pay special attention to the correct techniques. For example, you should never vacuum the carpets in just one direction. Doing that can make your carpets appear clean. But it will not remove all the dirt that accumulates within the fabrics. To properly clean carpets, you should run the vacuum back and forth. This technique can effectively dislodge particles trapped within the carpet fibres. 

Failing to clean the appliances

Most tenants don’t think about cleaning the appliances before leaving the rented property. Doing that can lead you to reductions when getting back your security deposit. That’s why you should also incorporate appliance cleaning into your end-of-lease cleaning checklist. 

During the appliance cleaning process, you should focus more on kitchen appliances. For example, your oven and stovetop are dirtier than you think. You must also pay attention to other appliances around the house such as light fixtures. When they are clean, landlords will not have any reason to keep the security deposit. 

Not cleaning the bathrooms

With continuous use of the bathroom, you should also pay attention to cleaning it. Failing to do that will provide a reason for the landlord to stick to your security deposit. Make sure that you clean every part of your bathroom. While doing that, pay special attention to the shower and toilet. They are the focal points of your bathroom. However, you should not ignore little details such as bathroom grout. Double-check and make sure that your bathroom is clean before leaving the rented property.

Failing to clean the exteriors of your home

End-of-lease cleaning is not all about interior cleaning. You should also pay attention to cleaning the exteriors of your home. For example, you need to pay attention to window washing. When the windows are clean, your landlord will immediately get a good impression of cleanliness. It is also better if you can pay attention to yard maintenance. It may not be included in your lease agreement. But putting in that extra effort will help you to ensure a smooth return of the security deposit.

Failing to use the correct cleaning products

As tenants, you should always use the correct cleaning products when cleaning. Failing to do that can cause more damage than good. For example, some of the cleaning products can cause corrosion in appliances. This is where you should follow a guide and figure out the correct cleaning products to use. By following instructions on cleaning products, you can confirm whether it is okay to use them or not. When in doubt, it is always a good thing to stick to biodegradable products. They usually don’t cause any problems. 

Failing to use the correct cleaning methods

While sticking to the correct cleaning products, you should also use the correct cleaning methods. Then you can refrain from causing damage to the surfaces. For example, you should not spray the cleaning products directly on appliances. It will result in the build up of chemicals on the surface. As a result, appliances can become greasy and sticky. To overcome such issues, you should spray the cleaning product on a cleaning cloth. Then you can go ahead and clean. To get a better cleaning experience, always use microfiber clothes. 

Rushing in the last minute

Most renters think about cleaning at the last minute. Last-minute rush can always create disputes. That’s because you don’t have enough time to stick to the correct methods of cleaning. It is one of your responsibilities to clean the rented property before leaving. You should never ruin it by waiting till the last minute. That’s why you should start early and clean one spot at a time. Then you can experience a thorough cleaning experience. It will not be an overwhelming experience for you as well.

Not hiring professionals

You are not an expert in cleaning. As a result, you will fail to ensure a comprehensive cleanup. On top of that, you will also fail to prevent damage during the cleaning process. That’s why you should always hand over the job to skilled professionals. They can offer the ultimate end-of-lease cleaning experience to you. Such professionals use checklists for cleaning. They will hold responsibility for the overall cleanliness of the property. Hence, you will never face any legal disputes or other issues. It provides peace of mind for you as well.

Final words

Always keep these common pitfalls in mind when you are cleaning the rented property. If you need professional assistance, feel free to contact Affordable Cleaning and Gardening Services today. We can help any tenant in Brisbane to ensure a clean property before handing it back to the landlord. Our team will be able to take care of all your cleaning tasks as well. Hence, you can experience the convenience of sticking to just one service provider.