End-of-lease cleaning: A step-by-step process

The key to a stress-free lease termination is to plan your cleaning schedule ahead of time. Make your next bond cleaning a success by following these guidelines.

Checklist for moving out cleaning

LAUNDRY ROOM & BATHROOM

• Clean your basin and drain, as well as your benchtops, wall tiles, and taps.

• Clean all mirrors and wipe away any wipe marks.

• Clean the shower glass, faucets, and showerhead. Remove any mould from the grout, clean the floor, and let it dry completely. The shower curtain should be washed.

• Scrub and disinfect the outside of the toilet bowl and under the seat.

Don't forget to clean any soap dispensers, towel rails, toilet paper holders, ceiling fans, and ventilation systems!

INTERIOR OF YOUR RENTAL

• Wipe the exterior of air conditioning units and clean the filters.

• If your carpets are in need of cleaning, get a professional to do it. Read your leasing agreement.

• Empty and clean the cupboards and drawers.

• Fans should be dusted and wiped down.

• Sweep/vacuum any floors, then mop them.

• Fly screens should be removed, washed, and reinstalled.

• All ledges, including sliding door tracks, skirting boards, and tops of doors and windows, should be wiped clean.

• Clean all of your light switches and fixtures. Replace any malfunctioning bulbs.

• Wipe down all of the walls. Scrub away any stains and repair any dents or holes. If required, repaint. Remove any spider webs from room corners.

• Clean the interior and outside of all windows and doors. Remember to include the window tracks and blinds.

Don't forget that if the owner provides any appliances or furnishings, they should be cleaned and returned in the same condition that you found it.

KITCHEN

• Wipe down all surface surfaces and walls on benches.

• Cleaning your oven, racks, and cooktop are all good places to start. Wipe away any wipe traces.

• Empty and clean out all cupboards.

• Clean the interior of your dishwasher as well as the racks. Rinse away any food that has accumulated in the filter.

• Remove any oil stains, clean the filters, and check that the light is working.

• Remove any dust and oil on extractor fan.

• Lift the refrigerator and clean behind and beneath it.

• Remove any food from the drain and clean the faucets in the sink.

What is the price of end-of-lease cleaning?

Moving out cleaning services are available if you are short on time or would prefer to have a professional assist you. The cost of a bond clean varies depending on your location, the size of your property, and the amount of cleaning required.

Moving out cleaning services in Sydney often charge a fixed price ranging from $200 to $1,000 or an hourly rate ranging from $20 to $50. Depending on the number of rooms, carpet steam cleaning can alternatively be paid per square meter or as a flat rate.

Window wiping may be provided as part of an end-of-lease clean, but if not, it will be paid on an hourly basis. The cost of a window cleaning will vary according on the number and size of windows, the ease of access to the windows, and the amount of grime to be cleansed.

Don't accept the first quotation you get. To obtain the best pricing for your house and demands, get quotations from at least three different cleaning providers in your region.