Passing Your End-of-Tenancy Inspection: A Tenant’s Guide

As a West Aussie tenant, you have some responsibilities to perform throughout your tenancy period for a hassle-free move-out. This includes everything from doing necessary repairs to sprucing up the entire property or paying all outstanding bills.

Unfortunately, the landlord or property manager can withhold a part or full bond amount (equivalent to 4 weeks’ rent) if you fail to meet your defined obligations. Thus, it becomes imperative to strictly adhere to your duties according to the residential rental agreement to avoid rental disputes, especially over cleaning issues.

One of the best things you can do is to hire a seasoned team for an expert vacate cleaning Perth. They will help you clean the entire property and impress the scrupulous landlord.

However, there are certain things to remember when vacating your rental property. Here is a comprehensive tenant’s guide to passing the end of lease inspection without any stress. Follow this guide and secure your full bond money.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Do Necessary Repairs Except for Fair Wear & Tear

Under the standard residential tenancy agreement in Western Australia, a tenant agrees to return the rental property in the same condition as it was at the start of the lease. This excludes fair wear and tear, such as scuff marks on walls, gradual fading of paint, worn carpets, chipped walls, etc., caused by everyday use during the tenancy.

However, if you cause major damage to the property, you must cover the repairs before vacating. Landlords often pay special attention to the property’s condition and can hold back your bond money if they encounter any major damage to the premises. You can hire professional handymen in Perth and fix the issues immediately.

Tip: Refer to the property condition report because you are not liable for the existing damages.

2. Deep Clean Ceilings, Fans, Cabinets, Light fixtures & Fittings

According to the Residential Tenancy Laws WA, renters must return the rental property ‘reasonably clean’ to pass the rental inspection. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct a professional vacate cleaning Perth that covers all rooms, important areas, and spots.

To begin the process, remove all the large furniture from the rooms and start dusting all surfaces. Use a damp cloth to remove dust, debris, and grime from your ceiling walls, fans, and crannies. You may also need a telescopic duster, step stool or a ladder to reach hard-to-reach areas and clean air vents and ducts to ensure proper ventilation.

Ensure you wipe down light fixtures and fittings, picture frames, switchboards, and cabinets inside & outside to eliminate accumulated dust and debris.

Tip: Follow the top-to-bottom cleaning approach to tackle every inch of the premises with perfection.

3. Clean & Sanitise Kitchen Surfaces and Appliances

Most tenants fail their rental inspection because of greasy kitchen appliances, dirty cabinets and a clogged range hood filter. According to the experts, a dirt-laden cooking station can become a breeding ground for lethal germs and bacteria that can make the property inhabitable for new tenants.

Thus, it becomes your prime responsibility to thoroughly clean and sanitise every nook and cranny of your kitchen. This includes:

• Wipe down your cabinets- top, inside, outside and handles to remove grease.
• Use vinegar to dislodge accumulated grime and gunk from the range hood filter.
• Clean your oven inside and outside using a natural cleaning solution
• Steam your microwave to remove caked-on grime and food splatters
• Clean and sanitise your fridge and dishwasher
• Scrub your stovetop gently to loosen dirt and gunk
• Wipe down your countertops using baking soda paste
• Clean, disinfect and polish your sink, faucets
• Unclog and deodorise garbage disposal
• Wash stubborn stains and oil splatters from backsplash.
• Deodorise trash cans using natural alternatives.

You can also hire professionals for a budget vacate cleaning Perth to get the job done without a hint of stress.

4. Wash Windows Like a Pro

Dirty windows are one of the prime reasons for rental disputes at the end of a tenancy. If you want to pass the final inspection, clean your windows inside and outside (if accessible).

Start by eliminating loose dirt and dust from the sills, tracks and frames using a vacuum cleaner or a dry cloth. To tackle stubborn stains and grime, spray white vinegar and warm, soapy water solution and wipe the surface.

In the final step, run a rubber squeegee to achieve streak-free windows.

Tip: Wash your window curtains and vacuum the blinds to remove collected dirt, pollen and other harmful allergens.

5. Achieve a Hygienic and Odour-free Bathroom

Make sure you deep clean your bathrooms because landlords thoroughly inspect this particular room and can deduct your bond money if they see a sign of dirt, grime and germs on surfaces like bathroom walls, fixtures and fittings.  So it is good to do the following to maintain its hygiene level:

• Get rid of expired and empty items from the cabinet
• Remove soap scum from showerheads and curtains
• Eliminate limescale and soap scum from glass doors and bathtub
• Clean and disinfect toilet seat
• Scrub tiles and grout lines
• Dislodge mineral deposits from the sink and other chrome fixtures
• Disinfect high-touch areas, such as towel rails, window frames, door handles
• Mop the floor

Tip: Spray vinegar or hydrogen peroxide solution on bathroom surfaces to remove mould stains. Also, keep the windows open for ventilation and dry the area to prevent further growth.

6. Refresh Your Carpets and Rugs

Use a vacuum machine with a HEPA filter to dislodge dust particles, pet hair, pollen, and other allergens from your delicate floor coverings.

To remove stains and grime, spray vinegar solution and blot the area with a wet microfiber cloth or paper towel to restore the shine of your carpets.

You can hire carpet cleaning Perth professionals to steam clean your delicate coverings. This method will remove stains, grime, germs, and bad odours from the fabric and help you pass the rental inspection.

7. Maintain the Yard and Exterior Areas

Landlords expect you to maintain a yard as it is an attractive property feature. So, make sure you remove weeds, trim dead branches, remove stakes and earth-cycle your garden waste.

Also, clean your driveway, patio area and garage walls to pass the rental inspection without hassle.

Tip: You can even refer to the Residential Tenancies Authority Western Australia in case of a rental dispute over property repairs or cleaning.

Useful Tips to Pass the End-to-Tenancy Inspection

Wrapping Up

Tenants should understand their responsibilities and return the property clean and well-maintained to pass the end-of-tenancy inspection. If you are doing it for the first time, consider this guide to impress your landlord and get your bond money in full.