Moving out of a rental property is generally accompanied by mixed feelings of excitement and stress. One of the most critical tasks tenants have to handle before returning the keys is bond cleaning, also referred to as end-of-lease cleaning. It is actually a rigorous cleaning procedure that helps guarantee the full refund of the bond deposit by landlords or property managers. In this all-inclusive guide, we will discuss exactly what is bond cleaning, its advantages, the bond cleaning process, and provide a bond clean checklist to help navigate this important task easily.
What Is Bond Cleaning?
Well, bond cleaning is detailed cleaning of the rental property before a tenant vacates, more popularly known as end-of-lease cleaning. The aim of bond cleaning is returning a property to its original condition or as close to it as can be expected in the eyes of the property manager or landlord. This process is therefore important to note that in so many rental agreements, tenants are normally needed to leave the property clean and damage-free to earn the right to get their bond deposit back.
Bond money is basically received by the landlord as a form of security that, in case a tenant vacates the house, he is to pay for possible damages or extra cleaning needed in his or her house. Basically, to ensure you get back your full bond, the property must pass the exit inspection by the landlord or property manager. Otherwise, if it doesn’t meet these standards, then you will have your bond deducted, which can be quite a financial burden.
Advantages of Bond Cleaning
Bond cleaning is very advantageous apart from meeting the contractual requirements. The major benefits are discussed below:
1. Reclaiming the Maximum Amount of Money from the Bond:
The most important advantage connected with bond cleaning is the capability of getting a full refund of the security money deposited. Because the bond deposits are huge, it’s in the tenant’s interest that the property should be cleaned according to the highest standards. Professional cleaning services help the tenant in achieving these standards and avoiding deductions on their deposited bond.
2. No Dispute with Your Landlord:
A really good bond cleaning can help avoid disputes between the landlord or property manager and the tenant. Much of the time, this issue crops up when a property is not cleaned well below the required mark, thereby creating hassles while returning the bond deposit. By investing in thorough bond cleaning, you will be able to move smoothly and minimize the danger of potential conflict.
3. Saving Time and Effort:
The process of moving is time-consuming and tiring. In fact, bond cleaning involves attention to detail and may take several hours or even days to complete depending on the size and condition of the property. This lets you be involved in other things as you move, like packing and organizing, knowing that the cleaning part is being done efficiently.
4. Adherence to Lease Agreements:
Most tenancy agreements have specific stipulations that require tenants to ensure that a property is well-maintained and clean upon handing over. If these areas are not met, legal or monetary problems could result. Bond cleaning ensures you satisfy your obligations under the lease agreement and avoids any possible legal hassles associated with this.
The Bond Cleaning Process
It involves a proper cleaning of every nook and corner of the property. More intense compared to regular cleaning, bond cleaning may cover areas that you never include in your routine cleaning schedule. Below is an overview of the bond-cleaning process:
1. Preparing for Bond Cleaning:
Before you start bond cleaning, it is good to keep all the cleaning products and equipment within your reach. Some of these products are cleaning agents, microfiber cloths, sponges, brushes, vacuum cleaners, a mop, and specialized equipment necessary for reaching hidden areas. Also at your side, you should have a copy of the bond clean checklist indicating areas that need special attention in most cases.
2. Room-by-Room Cleaning:
This bond cleaning includes the cleaning of every room on the property. Here’s a rundown of what is usually required:
- Living Areas and Bedrooms: Dust and wipe down all surfaces, including walls, baseboards, and light fittings vacuum the carpets clean all the windows and window tracks remove any cobwebs that may be hanging around and make sure all the built-in wardrobes and cupboards are cleaned both inside and out.
- Kitchen: This forms one of the special areas since it is among those areas that collect most grime. The oven, stovetop, and rangehood, together with the exhaust fans, need a very good clean. All benches, cabinets, and drawers should be wiped down, while the sink and taps should be free of stains, and the refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave should be cleaned.
- Bathrooms: Clean and disinfect all surfaces, including sinks, toilets, showers, and bathtubs. Remove any soap scum, mould, or mildew from tile and grout. Clean mirrors, towel racks, and exhaust fans ensure that all plumbing fixtures are clean.
- Laundry: Clean the washing machine and dryer if included wipe down all surfaces, and mop the floor. Check for lint buildup and remove it from the dryer and outgoing exhaust vents.
- Floors: This will depend on the nature of the floors in the premises. You will have to vacuum carpets, clean hard floors using a mop, and steam clean carpets where this has been specified in the agreement.
- Exterior Areas: In case the property has outdoor spaces such as a patio or a balcony, make sure that these areas are swept and any outdoor furniture is cleaned.
3. Final Inspection:
After the bond cleaning process, a final inspection is paramount to ensuring that nothing has been missed. Do a walk-through of the property with the bond clean checklist and check off every area once more. This way, you will be able to notice those areas that have not been cleaned and squeeze in some touch-ups before the landlord’s inspection.
Bond Clean Checklist
Below we will understand what is bond cleaning process and the checklist that can be used as a reference guide to help you keep everything in order, making sure every area of the property is cleaned to standard:
- Living Areas and Bedrooms:
- Dust and wipe down all surfaces. Vacuum carpets. Clean windows and window tracks. Remove cobwebs.
- Clean inside and out of wardrobes and cupboards.
- Kitchen:
- Clean oven, stovetop, and rangehood.
- Wipe down all countertops, cabinets, and drawers.
- Clean sink, taps, and drain.
- Clean the refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave if it has been installed in the premises.
- Bathrooms:
- Sinks, toilets, showers, and bathtubs are cleaned and disinfected.
- Soap scum, mould, and mildew removed.
- Mirrors and extractor fans are clean.
- Taps and plumbing fittings polished.
- Laundry Area:
- Washing machine and dryer cleaned.
- All surfaces wiped down.
- Sweep and mop the floor.
- Lint removed from the lint trap.
- Floors:
- Carpets vacuumed.
- Hard floors mopped.
- Carpets steam cleaned (where necessary).
- Outdoor Areas:
- Patio and balconies are swept.
- Outdoor furniture cleaned.
Follow this checklist to ensure that the property is thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the final inspection.
Bond cleaning is an important task that requires the highest level of attention to detail and thoroughness, in return for you getting back your full bond deposit. Understanding what bond cleaning is, the benefits of hiring a professional, and going through the bond cleaning process—getting to know these is what can make you deal confidently with this task. Using the bond clean checklist will make you certain that every part of the property is cleaned according to high standards, avoiding any deductions on your bond.
Those, however, who would rather leave this task to the experts can opt for professional bond cleaning services with Bright Boosters, designed to fulfil the strict criteria set out by your landlord or property manager. With their help, you will be able to focus on your move and have a spotless property while experiencing a stress-free bond refund process.
