Understanding the legal aspects of end of lease cleaning may sound overwhelming to tenants, but it can help you know your cleaning duties and responsibilities at the end of your tenancy. This can prevent unwanted disputes between the two parties over the bond amount.
According to the statistics, over 1200 rental disputes were accounted for in Perth in 2021-22, of which around 225 were related to cleaning. Due to a lack of awareness and half-baked cleaning, hundreds of tenants lose their hard-earned bond money each year.
On the other hand, tenants who know their cleaning rights and responsibilities leave the property clean at the end of a tenancy. They hire professionals for
expert vacate cleaning Perth to get the full bond back without any disputes.
If you also want to pass your final inspection smoothly, understand the legal aspects of end of lease cleaning in this article and stay confident throughout the process.
What are the Cleaning Obligations for Tenants in a Rental Agreement?
The end of lease cleaning obligations in Perth are regulated by the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 in Western Australia. It clearly states that a tenant or renter must leave a rental property to its original condition as it was at the start of a tenancy.
As a tenant, you must eliminate visible dust, dirt and stubborn stains from surfaces like ceiling fans, walls, shelves, windows, blinds, kitchen appliances, carpets, floors, etc, using proper cleaning techniques.
A rental agreement includes the minimum cleaning standards, such as:
- Tackling dust particles and debris
- Wiping down hard surfaces
- Washing windows inside and out (if accessible)
- De-greasing kitchen appliances, stovetops and walls
- Cleaning and disinfecting sinks and faucets
- Thoroughly cleaning bathroom surfaces
- Disinfecting toilet seats
- Vacuuming Carpets and rugs
- Mopping Floors
- Cleaning patio and garage areas
Note: A landlord has the right to
deduct your bond money for cleaning and repairs. So, know your legal duties and responsibilities and be aware of all your rights in order to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
What are the Legal Aspects of Vacate Cleaning in Perth?
As a tenant, you must understand legal aspects before getting into the lease agreement. Here are some important aspects that will make things easy for you:
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Thoroughly Read Your Rental Agreement
Most tenants lose their bond money because they don’t read the rental agreement at the beginning of a tenancy. This document is a legal contract that includes the rights, responsibilities and duties of both parties, especially related to cleaning.
So, carefully read your rental agreement and check the specific cleaning requirements during the move-out process. This will help you carry out the job with perfection.
You can even book seasoned vacate cleaners Perth for meticulous results and a hassle-free retrieval of bond money.
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Carefully Check Before Signing the Entry Condition Report
According to the RTA in Western Australia, tenants or renters have a right to receive a
property condition report from a landlord.
- It basically covers the current condition of the property, such as:
- The condition of air vents, walls, fittings and fixtures, windows.
- The cleaning state of kitchen appliances, sinks and faucets
- The condition of bathrooms
- Any damage to the Property, etc.
As a responsible tenant, make sure you inspect the Property thoroughly, take photos and videos of dirt and damaged surfaces and attach them to the copy of an entry condition report.
Keep a copy of it with you, as it can save you in case of rental disputes at the end of a tenancy.
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Do Necessary Repairs- Fair Wear and Tear is Acceptable
When you know your legal rights and responsibilities, you will understand that you are not liable to pay for normal wear and tear at the end of your tenancy. This includes:
- Faded blinds and curtains
- Faded walls
- Minor marks on walls
- Cracked window panes because of warped frames
- Grout Caulking, etc
But make sure you fix the major damages caused by you during a lease period. Whether it is a broken window door or a leaky tap, hire a seasoned handyman in Perth and get things fixed, especially for
urgent repairs before sprucing up your rental property.
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Thoroughly Perform End of Lease Cleaning
It is one of the major responsibilities of a tenant when vacating a rental property. They are obliged to follow the highest end of lease cleaning standards and return the property in a clean condition.
This type of cleaning is different from regular house cleaning. It requires more attention, precision and skills to cover all nooks and crannies according to the set standards.
Therefore, most tenants book a reliable company for the best vacate cleaning Perth. They follow a pre-approved cleaning checklist and bring cutting-edge equipment to eliminate dust, dirt, grime and grease from almost all surfaces, such as hard-to-reach areas, upholstery furniture, carpets, kitchen appliances, bathroom grouts, etc.
You can hire them and pass your rental inspection with ease. But before that,
ask important questions when choosing a cleaning company and stay relaxed during the process.
How to Resolve Rental Dispute and Retrieve Your Bond Money?
Rental disputes due to cleaning and other factors can easily be resolved in Western Australia. If both parties don’t agree with the bond amount or inspection report, they can go to the Western Australia Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
If you face a dispute at the end of your tenancy, contact the
SAT in Western Australia and provide all the necessary documents and evidence (a copy of an entry condition report, photos and videos).
They will review the report, listen to both parties and make a final decision depending on submitted documents and evidence. If you want to get your full bond back, hire professional cleaners who have at least 5 years of experience in their field and can help you pass the rental inspection.
Wrapping
With the help of this guide, you can get familiar with the key legal aspects, duties and responsibilities of a tenant related to end of lease cleaning. Keep these aspects in mind and move out of your leased property in Western Australia without rental conflict.
