When a tenant exits or enters a particular rented space, certain activities must be carried out on the property to prepare it for a new occupant. Some of these services, to name a few, can be repairing spoilt properties, repainting, pre-cleaning, etc.
Cleaning a property after the occupant has exited it or before a new occupant enters is a significant activity that prepares the property for its new owner. This cleaning can also be called bond cleaning.
Bond cleaning entails preparing a rented property or space to be rented out again soon after the previous occupant has left the property. It is usually known as end-of-lease, lease, or exit cleaning.
Bond cleaning is normally underrated and thought to be an easy endeavor. Many people think it to be simply steam mopping, countertop mopping, and using a DIY soap solution to clean areas in the property. But it is more thorough than the usual cleaning services you are used to. It is also a very meticulous procedure, which must be undergone with care to avoid irreversible damage because most cleaners use strong and highly acidic chemicals.
Why is Bond Cleaning an Essential Activity for a Rental Property?
It is essential to be aware of the extent of what is required of a pre-tenancy assessment. It is stated by part 22 of the Residential Tenancies Act that ‘the landlord must ensure that, at the end of the tenancy, the premises are returned to the condition comparable to that of the condition it was at the beginning of the tenancy.
The rule may look simple, but there is a lot involved in the mentioned phrase ‘condition comparable.’
You will agree that a house doesn’t meet this condition if a new tenant moves into a new property and finds the place dirty or if the carpet, furniture, or any part is covered in dirt or stained. In such instances, they can demand a rent concession, even though those issues were already present before they moved in.
Landlords can also be made liable by the state government if they refuse to meet specific minimum standards set by the government under certain circumstances. For example, guidelines have been issued by the NSW Department for free trading.
Many scenarios can occur where landlords can be held accountable. While the local state government ensures detailed guidelines are provided on these responsibilities, it is on the part of renters to learn much about their rights as occupants before signing any tenancy agreement. The tenant should also play their role in bond cleaning before leaving their old house.
Steps in Bond Cleaning
Identify what you can and can’t clean:
Before starting any bonding process, you need to know what you have to do to get your property clean. For example, know if all the rooms need cleaning or just some major areas that need special expert and thorough cleaning.
The best way to identify these areas is to list what needs cleaning comprehensively. This will prove very useful to avoid forgetting some major areas because you rushed the cleaning. For example, if you forget to remove excess paint on doors or windows, these areas may become dirty. Also, before formulating the list, it is essential to carry out a pre-tenancy check to see all the areas which need cleaning and those which need special cleaning.
Bond Cleaning
After noting all areas that need cleaning, you can now start cleaning on areas you prefer.
Carpet cleaning is one of the most famous bond cleaning tasks. The reason for cleaning the carpet is that many house occupants typically move in and out of the house with their shoes on. This often causes significant traffic, attracting dirt on the carpet. Landlords can get their carpets thoroughly cleaned up by hiring the services of professional cleaners who will clean the carpets without damaging them.
Walls and ceiling:
During bond cleaning, walls and ceilings can be cleaned using a steamer, and if the dirt or the stains are deep-rooted, a pressure washer may clean them excellently. Stains on walls and ceilings are more for tenants who smoke in the building. In that case, bond cleaning will also involve cleaning curtains to free them from the smell of smoke.
Kitchen appliances:
The kitchen is one of the most sophisticated places in the home due to the various appliances. Appliances like dishwashers, ovens, and the range hood of which are dirtier on the inside than the outside. This is why an experienced cleaner often removes the appliance from the countertops to not damage or break them, while those that can not be removed are cleaned where they are.
Window cleaning:
People view cleaning windows as a simple task, but that’s not true. Window cleaning is quite a strenuous task; a professional cleaner will not just wash down the window but also ensure they wipe down the window tracks and inside panels. This can be extremely difficult without the right equipment.
General paintwork maintenance:
Tenants usually neglect the frames of windows and doors. But a bond cleaner will ensure that these areas are wiped down with a rag to get rid of dirt or grime that accumulated over time — bringing out the beauty of the home and, at the same time, attracting potential tenants.
Bathroom:
Cleaning the bathroom is usually last, as it is the home’s most challenging bond cleaning area. It involves cleaning everything from the toilet to the window to tiles, etc. So, the cleaners have to be very careful, taking their time to clean it properly.
Floor tiles:
Tiles are one of the most accessible areas to clean, but measures must be taken when cleaning them. Special care must be taken when cleaning tiles because most commercial tiles come with a wax finish, and you must use the right tools to maintain them.
Furniture:
It would help if you had furniture cleaned in preparation for a new tenant, as they are an essential feature in the home. The living room is where they are mainly found, and this space is the core of a home. Hence, dirty furniture can’t go unnoticed.
Sink cleaning:
Wondering that this should be done with the kitchen clean? Yes, it will. But it deserves to be addressed separately. The cleaning will rid the sinks in your toilet, bathroom, dining section, and kitchen of stains and waste that affects the drainage.
Conclusion
Bond cleaning is a pre-tenancy and post-tenancy task that should be carried out after a tenant’s departure or before the arrival of a new tenant to return the house to a good state. There are specific penalties if it is not carried out, which the landlord will answer for.
More importantly, a pre-inspection is vital to create a comprehensive list that will guide the bond cleaners in properly cleaning the house.