Cleaning Checklist When Vacating

This checklist may assist to maximise your Bond refund.

General

  • Vacuum and clean all sliding doors and window tracks. Clean curtains and blinds.
  • Sweep and/or mop all non-carpeted floors, removing any marks.
  • Carpets are to be left in the same condition as marked on the original Residential Condition Report allowing for fair wear and tear. If required, carpets are to be cleaned, and – if pets were kept – be professionally cleaned for fleas by registered Pest Company. Supply paid invoice copy which specifies service details.
  • Clean light fittings and replace any light globes. Clean marks off walls, ceilings and light switches.
  • Clean skirting boards, windows including frames, sills and tracks, above cupboards, picture rails, architraves and both sides of all doors, all other fittings, and insect/security screens etc.
  • Clean in wardrobes, shelves, drawers and mirrored doors. Remove scuff marks.
  • Remove all cobwebs and insect marks and nests.

Kitchen

  • Clean inside and outside of all cupboards and doors. Clean sink, especially drain holes, drainers and tap ware.
  • Clean inside, outside and around stove.
  • Clean inside and outside of oven, griller, doors, trays, racks, glass.
  • Clean inside, outside and behind refrigerator and dishwasher and microwave space.
  • Range hood exhaust and filter- filter can be removed and cleaned.

Bathroom

  • Clean all walls, floors, mirrors and windows and window tracks.
  • Clean inside and outside all cupboards and drawers.
  • Clean toilet, bath, shower recess, remove built up soap residue on tiles and shower screens, clean sink and all tap ware, towel rails. Shower curtain washed with bleach or replace if applicable.

Laundry

  • Clean behind, inside and around washing machine space. Clean equipment and filters if applicable.
  • Clean inside, outside and behind dryer. Remove lint.
  • Clean inside, outside and around laundry tub, cabinets, shelves, drawers, tap ware.

Veranda, decks, outdoor areas

  • Sweep and mop, clean railings, glass and light fittings. Remove all cobwebs etc.

Garage, carport, driveway

  • Sweep out and remove any oil residue from concrete, pavers, paths, driveways.
  • Empty Council bins and place bins out on footpath for next collection
  • Close and lock garage door, if applicable.

Gardens and lawns, pool

  • Mow lawn, trim all edges, weed gardens, general garden tidy, remove all rubbish.
  • Return pool to condition as per condition report at start of the Tenancy and supply Pool Test report to Agent – Report to be completed on the end of Tenancy date.

If furnished

  • Ensure all items are clean and are located in original rooms as per Inventory list.

Cautionary advice regarding hiring of cleaners
Over the last few months we have had numerous tenants being “taken for a ride” with various cleaning companies. They promise the world at half the price of our recommended cleaners and do not do the job properly. As Property Managers we are left to try and sort out the problem which is not in our job description.

These problems range from cleaners coming into our office extremely drunk to pick up keys, to stealing out of the property and keeping keys until they have been paid. One occurrence had us being with Dee Why Police for three hours on a Friday night.

We cannot be held responsible for someone you hire not completing the job; you need to check their work. If the job is not done properly we will have to deduct the further cleaning from the bond. As these issues are becoming more and more prevalent, please BEWARE!

As a ball park figure an outgoing clean is about equivalent to one week’s rent.