Organizing your vacate cleaning checklist routine within a reasonable time frame is the key to stress-free lease termination. Make your next bond clean a success by following these guidelines.
One month before the end of your lease or vacate cleaning checklist In most situations, your lease agreement will include a clause stating that you must have your carpets professionally cleaned before leaving the property.
Now is the time to schedule an appointment with a professional carpet cleaning for the day before you return the keys to the agent/landlord. Don’t forget to save a copy of the invoice! Your lease agreement may also require you to have pest control services performed on your home (particularly if you’ve had pets).
You are responsible for keeping the property pest-free as a renter. Organize a professional pest control operator to spray your property in the coming weeks. If you have pets: Take extra care to thoroughly clean up any animal mess both inside and outside the property.
Check for and repair any damage caused by pets—such as scratched doors, chewed skirting boards, or dug-up garden beds—before your final inspection. Giving attention to these details will help ensure you meet your lease requirements and avoid any deductions from your bond. Do you have grass on your property?
If that’s the case, make sure they’re mowed during your final week of the tenancy. If you don’t have a mower, hire a gardener or handyman to take care of the lawns for you. Turn off your utilities (where appropriate). You have seven days till your lease expires.
Keep the exterior of your rental home clean . Sweep and clean your garage. Is it necessary to de-grease your floor? Remove any remaining cobwebs and use insecticide to treat the outside area. Get rid of any weeds, trim back your shrubs, mow the lawns, and weed-kill the area (if necessary).
Do you need to replace any plants that have died? Keep an eye out for cigarette butts and bottle tops left the last walk-through using this end of lease cleaning checklist once it’s finished to verify your home is in good handover condition to avoid any tenancy issues with your property managers.
Dust around the garden and remove them before you leave if you have any residual trash in the backyard. Extra attention for a spotless handover Patios and Verandas: Clean and hose down all outside verandas or decks, removing spiderwebs and giving any outdoor appliances (like barbecues) a thorough clean.
Windows: Clear cobwebs from window frames and sills, then wash and dry all exterior glass for streak-free results. Bins: Wash rubbish bins using household detergent or disinfectant in hot water. For an eco-friendly alternative, pour a few cups of vinegar into the bin, add hot water, and let it soak before scrubbing.
Leave bins upside down in the sun to dry. Garage: Beyond sweeping, empty the space, tackle oil marks or dirt on the floor, remove cobwebs, and give the garage door a quick clean. Driveway: Scrub your driveway, paying careful attention to any leftover oil spills or tire marks from your vehicle.
Pets: If you have pets, make sure to clean up any animal mess and repair any damage caused during your tenancy. Pool and Spa: Remove any debris from the water and check the filter for blockages.
A detailed approach in your final week will make sure nothing slips through the cracks, helping you breeze through your final inspection and secure that all-important bond return. You may also like to read: “ Can I give baking soda to my cat?
“ Scrub your driveway, paying careful attention to any leftover oil spills or tire marks from your vehicle. Rubbish bins: a fresh approach If your rubbish bins are starting to smell less-than-pleasant, there’s an easy and eco-friendly way to freshen them up.
Start by emptying all contents and giving the bin a good rinse with the hose. For a green cleaning boost, mix a solution of hot water and several cups of white vinegar—no harsh chemicals required. Let this mixture sit in your bin for a few hours to help break down built-up grime and neutralize odors.
Once soaked, scrub the interior with a sturdy brush (an old dish brush does the trick), paying extra attention to sticky patches or stubborn bits. Tip out the dirty water, rinse thoroughly, and—if the sun’s shining—leave your bin upside down outside to air dry completely.
Sunlight works as a natural disinfectant and helps zap lingering smells. A regular clean every few weeks keeps pests away and impresses even the fussiest landlords, so don’t skip this step—your nose (and your neighbours) will thank you! Keep your rental home clean inside and out.
Clean all light fixtures out and wash them, then dry and reinstall them. Check to see if your light globes are in good operating order. Any globes that have blown out should be replaced. You may also like to read: “ How much can a landlord charge for holes in a wall?
“ Take a look at your drapes and blinds. Is there any dirt, dust, or markings that you can see? It’s a good idea to clean Venetian blinds slat by slat if you have them. Some curtains may be machine washable. If not, vacuuming may assist in the removal of any remaining dirt and dust.
Clean your air conditioner and ceiling fans if you have them (and the internal filters). The same may be said for your smoke detectors. Remove the exhaust fans from the kitchen, bathroom, and toilet, then wash and reinstall them. You may also like to read: “ Insects: What is the point of flies?
“ Do your ceilings have any fly or inspection spots? In a pail of warm water, sponge with sugar soap or a light detergent. (However, test a tiny area first to verify your paint doesn’t come off.) You have three days till your lease expires Keep your windows clean .
Get your windows in tip-top shape by using a cobweb remover or a broom to eliminate all the cobwebs outside the home. Clean the debris and build-up from your window tracks by carefully running a screwdriver down the tracks to remove any dirt.
Vacuum the area with the smallest nozzle you have, then wipe it off with a wet towel. Using a screwdriver , raise and move the fly screen to the left or right before taking it out and uninstalling it. Don’t put too much pressure on your screens since they will quickly bend.
If necessary, hose down the fly screen. You may also like to read: “ Can ferrets replace cats as efficient pest control? “ Quick tip: Are your flyscreen’s too tight? Do you have security screens or windows on the second floor? In most cases, the sliding windows will open from the inside.
Simply check to see whether the screws at the top of the window need to be loosened (and then tightened again). How to use a squeegee to clean a window Clean your window with a scourer sponge to eliminate any grime and build-up.
Wipe the top border of the window with a dry cloth to help minimize streaks now that it’s all wet and soapy. With forceful, consistent pressure, slide your squeegee down the window. Dry your squeegee blade after each stroke and keep going until you’re done.
To avoid lines, make sure each stroke overlaps the previous one slightly.
