End-of-tenancy cleaning is a critical task to complete before moving out of a rented property. If you want to secure your deposit refund in full (who wouldn't?), leaving the property in pristine condition is paramount. Many tenants make common mistakes such as not addressing hidden areas, cleaning insufficiently, and, in general, not meeting the landlord’s high standards.
Avoid frequent mistakes and secure your deposit by following these tips. We will guide you on what to focus on to achieve a spotless rental. This way, you will boost your chances of passing your final inspection and getting all of your deposit back.
Skipped cleaning tasks
Causes of losing deposit due to cleaning
Interpreting lease cleaning requirements
Best time to start cleaning
Areas requiring professional cleaning
Documenting the cleaning
Cleaning products to avoid
Handling illegal cleaning deductions
Forget cleaning behind and under appliances
Not cleaning behind and under appliances like ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers is one of the cleaning tasks that many tenants skip. Such areas accumulate dust, food particles, grease, and debris over time, and landlords will spot them, for sure. When you don’t clean these areas, your landlord might charge you extra or deduct from your deposit.
Neglect high surfaces and light fixtures
High surfaces like ceiling corners, crown mouldings, and light fixtures are often overlooked. Since cobwebs and dust tend to collect in these hard-to-reach areas, they will diminish the appearance of an otherwise clean room. Use a step stool or ladder to dust light fixtures, ceiling fans, and high shelves. Clean all chandeliers, light switches, and bulbs—your landlord might take a look at these too!
Dust and stains on walls and ceilings will alter a property’s appearance. Clean walls and ceilings to improve overall cleanliness.
Not cleaning grout and tile
Grout lines and tiles can easily be skipped, especially in kitchen and bathrooms, where they accumulate a lot of dirt, mould, and soap scum. Not scrubbing grout or cleaning tile surfaces is a significant mistake. Use bleach solution or a grout cleaner to remove stains and disinfect tile for odour-free and sparkling finish.
Skip ventilation and filters
Many tenants overlook cleaning air vents and filters, even though dirt and dust build up in these areas and alter indoor air quality. Wipe down vents, fans, and replace and clean filters so that you lower the risk of deposit deductions.
Insufficient carpet cleaning
Deep carpet cleaning is crucial, especially in high-traffic areas. If you skip thoroughly cleaning carpets and leave stains and dirt, you risk deductions for professional carpet cleaning. Vacuuming isn’t enough, so you have to use a steam cleaner or hire professionals (it might be a requirement in your lease agreement).
Not revising the inventory checklist can lead to missing areas that require cleaning, which may result in deductions from the deposit.
Incomplete understanding of lease requirements
Some tenants lose their deposits due to cleaning because they don’t fully comprehend the lease agreement’s cleaning requirements. These tenants mistakenly think that regular cleaning will suffice, whereas landlords expect a thorough, deep clean, and often require professional cleaning services. Unable to meet landlords’ expectations, tenants end up covering cleaning fees and face deposit deductions.
Poor documentation of cleaning efforts
If you don’t have adequate documentation, it can be difficult to prove that you have cleaned the property as required. Tenants who don’t take before-and-after photos or keep receipts for professional cleaning services may have difficulties defending themselves in deposit disputes. Proper documentation serves as evidence and enhances chances of a full deposit refund.
Not achieving the high cleaning standards
Landlords are particular when it comes to cleanliness of their properties at handover and often require professional-level cleaning results for carpets, ovens, and bathroom tiles. When you don’t meet their standards, you risk paying penalties for cleaning services or repairs. DIY cleaning may not be enough to pass the final inspection, especially in high-traffic areas and heavily soiled areas. Hiring the professionals is the solution, in most cases.
Not allowing enough time for cleaning
Tenants fail to pass the final inspection when they don’t allocate enough time for deep cleaning. You need significant effort and time to clean at the end of your lease. If you rush through the process and leave tasks until the last minute, you risk missing spots or not cleaning thoroughly enough.
Many tenants underestimate how long a deep clean will take. It's recommended to allocate enough time to avoid last-minute jobs and missing essential spots
Using improper cleaning supplies and tools
Using the wrong cleaning supplies and tools can lead to insufficient cleaning. For deep cleaning, an all-purpose cleaner and a mop won’t be enough, especially when you have to remove difficult stains, mould, or limescale.
Understand "professionally clean" clauses
Many leases include a "professionally clean" clause, which some tenants might find confusing. Typically, this refers to cleaning carpets, ovens, or windows to the highest standards. If your lease includes this clause, ask your landlord if a thorough DIY job will suffice or you have to hire professionals. Get the clarification in writing.
Normal wear and tear vs. cleaning requirements
Understand the difference between what qualifies as normal wear and tear and what your cleaning responsibilities are. Minor issues from regular use such as faded paint or small scuff marks are considered normal wear and tear—your landlord shouldn’t deduct these from your deposit. However, landlords will require you to clean surfaces of dirt, stains, and address neglect that goes beyond this.
There's the risk of landlords not distinguishing between what is caused by regular use and what is caused by poor maintenance—clean the property to restore it to its condition at the beginning of your lease.
Required documentation and receipts
Check if your lease requires documentation to prove that you have met the expected cleaning standards. Receipts for professional cleaning services and any purchased cleaning products or services will serve as proof.
Specific property requirements
Some lease mention areas or items requiring extra attention, such as removing personal belongings, cleaning high-traffic areas, or deep cleaning appliances. To avoid disputes, strictly follow these requirements.
Communication with your landlord or letting agency
Talk to your landlord or real estate agency when you don’t fully understand or find some cleaning requirements in the lease ambiguous. Ask for clarification in writing to avoid misunderstandings.
Timeline planning
Plan the cleaning timelines at least one or two weeks before moving out. This will give you enough time to thoroughly clean the property and avoid last-minute rush. For a small flat, a few days may be enough, but a larger property will require more time. To properly clean all areas, spread your cleaning tasks across several days.
Don’t try to clean while you are still living in the property as you risk leaving difficult-to-reach areas dirty. Remove all your belongings before cleaning.
Room prioritization
Take a room-by-room approach to stay organized and avoid skipping any areas. Since they require extra attention, high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and floors should be cleaned first. Continue with bedrooms and living areas, and don’t move on to the next space until you have thoroughly cleaned the current one.
Moving coordination
Ideally, you should clean after you have cleared your belongings from the property and before the final inspection. If you move out in stages, clean each room as you vacate it and ensure there is no overlap between cleaning tasks and moving out. Finish cleaning at least one day before the final inspection.
Booking professionals
If you hire professionals, book them well in advance, weeks before your move-out date. Schedule the cleaning service for the day after you move out. Based on the property size and level of work required, professionals will need 3 to 6 hours to deep clean a property.
Final inspection preparation
Once the cleaning is completed, allocate enough time to prepare for the final inspection. Examine the property yourself and check for missed spots like high surfaces, areas behind appliances, and inside cabinets. If you have hired professionals, participate in the inspection to address any last-minute issues.
Carpet cleaning
Carpet cleaning is one of the most common areas requiring professional service. Many landlords expect spotless carpets, especially in high-traffic areas where stains and dirty buildup are visible. Professional carpet cleaners use specialized equipment and cleaning solutions to remove stains, revive carpet colours, and give them a fresh smell. If your lease requires professional carpet cleaning or if the carpets look dull and dusty, hire experts to avoid financial penalties.
Oven and kitchen appliances
Ovens, refrigerators, and other kitchen appliances often require professional cleaning because of buildup of grease, food residue, and grime. Many cleaning companies offer specialized oven cleaning services. They use steam and non-toxic cleaning agents to leave appliances like new.
Windows and blinds
Dust, grime, and streaks accumulate on windows, and deeply cleaning them requires specialized tools and ladders. Expert cleaners have the appropriate equipment and products to safely clean hard-to-reach windows and leave them streak-free. Window blinds can be difficult to clean, but professionals know how to clean them without causing damage. If your lease specifies that windows or blinds must be cleaned to a high standard, hire a cleaning company.
Hard floor treatments
Hard floors (hardwood, laminate, or tile) require specific treatments to become immaculate and shiny. Regular sweeping and mopping aren’t enough, and a deep clean is necessary to remove grime from grout, polish the floor, or treat stains. Professionals use floor buffers and the right cleaning solution to leave floors cleaner than ever. Hire professionals especially if the floors need deep waxing or grout cleaning.
Upholstery
Sofas, chairs, cushions, and other upholstered furniture often need professional cleaning to remove stains, dirt, and odours. Professional upholstery cleaners use steam cleaning and special fabric-safe cleaners to make upholstery look vibrant and new. Hire professionals if the furniture shows signs of heavy use or the landlord requires deep cleaning for upholstery.
Take before and after photos
Take clear and detailed before-and-after photos to document your cleaning efforts. Capture images of all cleaned areas, especially spots that get scrutinized during the final inspection (kitchen, bathroom, carpets, and appliances).
Collect professional receipts
If you hire professionals, keep all receipts and invoices from the cleaning service. They should list all provided services, such as oven cleaning, window washing, and carpet and upholstery cleaning.
Hire professional cleaners as they can meet the high standards required for full deposit refunds. they have the expertise and tools to clean better than you could on your own.
Complete the cleaning checklist
A cleaning checklist helps you stay organized and ensures you don’t skip any areas. Many landlords provide clients with a move-out checklist; if not provided, you can create your own.
Move-in condition comparison
Compare the condition of the property at move-out to its condition at move-in to prove you have left the property as requested. Take photos and notes when moving in and use them as reference when cleaning.
Final inspection walkthrough
Schedule a walkthrough with your landlord or letting agent before the final inspection. This will allow you to address any questions and point out the areas you have cleaned. Documenting and discussing the property’s condition before the inspection help you avoid misunderstandings and streamlines the handover.
Harsh chemicals on delicate surfaces
When cleaning delicate surfaces like tiles, countertops, some appliances, don’t use harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, and strong solvents. They can cause surface damage, discoloration, and even deteriorate materials like marble, granite, or glass. Instead, use pH-neutral cleaners specially formulated for the surfaces you're cleaning.
Inadequate carpet cleaners
Carpets require special care to avoid damaging the fibres or leaving stains. Don’t use strong bleaches or all-purpose cleaners as they can strip the carpet fibres. Use carpet cleaners designed for your carpet type and test them on a small, hidden area first.
Damaging wood cleaners
Don’t use harsh chemicals and wax-based cleaners on wooden surfaces, including floors, furniture, and cabinetry. Such products can cause wood to darken over time and leave sticky residue. Products containing ammonia, alcohol, or oil can strip the natural finish of wooden surfaces, so use cleaners specially made for wood (a non-abrasive formula).
Wrong stone or marble products
Marble, granite, quartz, and other stone surfaces require special care. Avoid using acidic or abrasive products such as vinegar, lemon juice, or harsh abrasives as they will dull the finish, damage the surface, or etch the stone. Instead, use a cleaner made for stone or marble surface.
Abrasive cleaning tools
Steel wool, rough sponges or scrubbing pads can scratch and damage many surfaces, including glass, furniture, and delicate countertops. Such tools will leave permanent marks and alter the surface’s appearance. Instead, use non-abrasive cloths, sponges, or microfiber cloths.
Scrubbing stains instead of blotting them can damage surfaces. Always use adequate methods for various materials.
Understand your tenants’ rights
As a tenant, you have the right to dispute any unfair deduction from your security deposit. Typically, a landlord can deduct from the deposit only if the property isn’t in the same condition as when moved in, considering normal wear and tear. Know your tenant rights and what’s considered reasonable wear and tear.
Required evidence
To dispute unfair cleaning deductions, you need evidence to prove that the property was cleaned to an acceptable standard. Photographs, videos, and written records of the property s condition when you moved in can be helpful. Keep the receipts and contracts if you have hired a cleaning company.
Proper documentation
Along with photos of the cleaned property, keep any move-in condition reports, cleaning invoices, and receipts for any services you used to meet your landlord cleaning standards. Have a copy of the lease agreement, especially if it includes cleaning clauses or specific requirements.
Mediation process
Mediation offers a neutral third party to resolve disputes between tenants and landlord without taking it to court. The process saves time and money and may lead to a mutually agreed-upon resolution.
Legal options
If you’re not successful through negotiation or mediation, you may have to pursue legal action. A small claims court or tenancy tribunal will examine the case and use the evidence to make a determination. Make sure you have all documentation, photos, receipts, and communication records with your landlord before proceeding.
RESOURCES
https://www.bambuecocleaning.co.uk/post/end-of-tenancy-cleaning-common-mistakes-to-avoid
https://www.fixinguru.sg/10-mistakes-tenants-make-during-end-of-tenancy-how-to-avoid-them
https://www.thesenior.com.au/story/7904635/end-of-lease-cleaning-5-common-mistakes-to-avoid
https://www.paulsrubbish.com.au/10-end-of-lease-cleaning-mistakes-to-avoid/
https://endoftenancycleaningnearme.co.uk/end-of-tenancy-cleaning-mistakes-to-avoid/
https://mrguru.com.au/avoid-costly-mistakes-end-of-lease-cleaning/
https://cleantoshine.com.au/10-common-mistakes-in-end-of-lease-cleaning-and-how-to-avoid-them/
Reading Tenancy Cleaners
Tel: 07459.143.942
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