Vacate Cleaning Perth: What Real Estate Agents Really Check

Is the landlord allowed to deduct bond money to cover cleaning costs? This is one of the most common questions tenants in Western Australia ask before the end of their tenancy. The Residential Tenancies Act clearly states that the landlord has the right to forfeit a full or partial bond if the property doesn’t meet their cleaning standards. In fact, cleaning is the prime reason behind rental disputes and disagreements.

Although landlords can’t force you to outsource a professional cleaning service, they conduct a strict inspection to make deductions wherever possible. They can sometimes go into intricate details, including checking window sills for dust, oven racks for grease, or tile grout for soap scum, to hold back your bond.

The level of strictness can determine the fate of your final inspection day. As a tenant, it becomes your core responsibility to understand your cleaning duties to avoid conflicts. Worry not! Today, we’ll discover what real estate agents really check during the final rental inspection. Aligning with their expectations and written clauses are enough to ensure a smooth sailing of your move out journey.

1. Who is Responsible for Vacate Cleaning in Perth, WA

According to the tenancy laws in WA, tenants are required to return the property in a reasonably clean condition beyond fair wear and tear. This also means that landlords can’t force you to use professional cleaners. However, failing to meet the landlord’s set expectations leads to bond deductions.

Therefore, tenants need to remove dust, dirt, loose debris, stubborn stains, and grime from all rooms, bathroom fixtures and fittings, windows, doors, light fixtures, carpets, kitchen surfaces, and floors, and maintain a spotless indoor environment. They can also hire experts for a guaranteed vacate cleaning Perth as professionals know key areas landlords actually look for when inspecting the property.

2. What Real Estate Agents Check in the Kitchen

The majority of tenants lose their bond money due to substandard kitchen cleaning. Landlords or real estate agents thoroughly scrutinise every nook and cranny before releasing the bond. Due to everyday use, stovetops, kitchen cabinets, ovens, microwaves, and refrigerators tend to collect a thick layer of grease and gunk. These spots can become a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, which may deter new occupants.

So, make sure you deep clean the following surfaces and kitchen appliances using all natural products:

• Use baking soda to clean both the inside and outside of wooden cabinets. Gently scrub with a sponge.
• Apply a baking soda and warm water paste inside your oven, soak the racks in hot water, and remove the buildup of grease, gunk, and splatters.
• Stovetop and cooktop: Remove stains and grime from knobs and crannies
• Rangehood filters: Use a white vinegar solution for effective de greasing
• Sinks and Taps: Use castile soap or vinegar to clean the sink and faucets.
• Microwave: Steam clean using a vinegar and lemon juice solution
• Refrigerator: Empty your fridge, remove drawers and soak them in hot water. Spray white vinegar solution inside the fridge to remove grease.
• Splashback: Remove grease and food splatters.

Tip: Compare the current condition with your entry condition report to avoid disputes or disagreements.

3. They Check Air Vents, Ceiling Fans, Light Fixtures and Fittings

These are the most overlooked spots, but they tend to accumulate layers of dust bunnies, pollen, and grime. Leaving these areas dirty can pollute the indoor air quality, which may even cause respiratory disorders or trigger pre existing asthma symptoms. Since landlords are obligated to maintain the minimum standards, i.e habitable and livable conditions, they inspect the property from top to bottom, including these spots to check for dirt and grime.

According to vacate cleaning Perth professionals, it is always good to start from the top of your room and make your way downwards. You can use a telescopic duster to clean ceiling fans or a microfibre cloth to remove dust and stains from light bulbs, fixtures, and fittings.

You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove accumulated dust from air vents and filters. Soaking the covers in hot water can help remove stubborn stains.   In case of any damage, fix it before the final rental inspection.

4. Thorough Inspection of Walls and Skirting Boards

Real estate agents in Western Australia pay special attention to walls and skirting boards. They check for scuff marks, accumulated dust, crayon or permanent marker marks, grease, mould and splatters. As a tenant, it is your responsibility to restore the shine of your painted wall using safe and sound products. You can use a white vinegar solution to remove stains. A magic eraser can tackle stains and grime. Also, vacuum or dust the skirting boards of all rooms. Also, fix major wall damage to prevent unnecessary bond deductions.

Tip: Make sure you know your rights as a tenant if you fail your inspection.

5. How Real Estate Agent check Windows, Blinds, Doors and Curtains

Spotless windows are essential for passing the final rental inspection in Perth. Landlords look for streak free window glass, dust free sills, frames and working locks before releasing your bond. They also check blinds, curtains and door tracks for accumulated dust and grime.

First things first, wash your curtains in hot water. Vacuum your blinds or remove stains using a vinegar solution. Next, clean your window tracks or sills using a HEPA vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool. After that, spray white vinegar solution across the windows and wipe down with a cloth. Run a rubber squeegee to prevent streak marks. Clean outside the windows if accessible. Also, wipe down curtain rods, window handles and pelmets to leave a great impression on your real estate agent.

6. They Thoroughly Inspect Bathroom Fixtures and Fittings

There is no denying that bathroom surfaces are the breeding ground for lethal germs and bacteria like E. coli. Potential occupants want a clean and hygienic bathroom before signing a lease agreement. Therefore, property managers leave no stone unturned when inspecting this part of a house. They check for:

• Soap scum and rust stains on showerheads
• Dirt and grime on the walls
• Water stains on glass doors
• Soap residue and calcium deposits inside the bathtub
• Rust and brown stains inside a toilet seat
• Limescale on the sink and faucets
• Mould on tiles and grout lines, etc
• Polished mirrors
• Water leakage issues

Ensure you spruce up your bathroom and disinfect all surfaces thoroughly using rubbing alcohol to kill lingering germs and bacteria. Refresh it as well to create a blissful spa for the final rental inspection.

7. Spotless Carpets and Floors

Stained floor coverings or scratched wooden floors can lead to bond deductions. Most real estate agents expect the flooring to be in the same condition as it was at the start of the lease. You can either hire experts for a thorough carpet cleaning or use gentle cleaners and proven hacks to tackle embedded dust, pet hair, stubborn stains and mould.

Floors need to be mopped properly, including beneath heavy furniture and appliance for sparkling shine. Leave no room for even small marks and follow the right strategies to prevent damage or discolouration.

8. Outdoor Areas: Patio, Garage and Driveways

If your rental home has an outdoor area like a patio, garage, yard or driveway, a real estate agent will thoroughly check it. Make sure you remove weeds and dry leaves from the lawn, wipe down patio furniture, sweep your floors, pressure clean driveways or concrete floors and remove cobwebs from garage walls. These small details can make a significant difference in passing your rental inspection.

If you are under a serious time crunch or living in a high rise building, book a quality vacate cleaning for apartments and secure your security deposit. Reliable Companies offer a bond back guarantee (terms and conditions apply) and re clean for 72 hours in case of any missed spots. So, do proper research and hire the best company within your estimated budget.

Infographic: What Real Estate Agents Look for During the Rental Inspection

Wrapping up

Real estate agents in Western Australia conduct thorough final rental inspections to ensure the property is in pristine condition. They inspect the property to address major damage, accumulated dirt, stains, and grime, and hold back bond money to cover repair and cleaning costs. Thus, it becomes essential for tenants to understand their vacate cleaning duties and return the premises in a spotless state to prevent deductions. Hopefully, this guide has helped you unearth key areas real estate agents look for during the inspection. You can prepare a customised checklist and clean like a pro or hire experts for a hassle free handover.