One of the most stressful tasks when you’re vacating a tenancy, is ensuring your property is in tip-top shape. Under the General Tenancy Agreement (GTA) you sign at the start of your lease, it’s your obligation to ensure you leave the property in the same condition as when you moved in otherwise you will lose your bond. To make sure this doesn’t happen to you and you receive your bond back, here are a few top tips and tricks from iThink Property Manager, Bek Sheahan.
MANDATORY MAINTENANCE
To start off, there are a few compulsory cleans you must do no matter what. One is carpet cleaning, and the other is pest control (if you have had pets). Please see below for more information on both of these:
- Carpet cleaning – carpets must be professionally cleaned by a licensed contractor at the end of your lease. Upon returning the keys, the receipt from the clean must be provided, with warranty.
- Pest control – if you have had pets present at the property throughout your tenancy, you are also required to provide a receipt (and 30-day warranty) of pest control.
LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS
If time isn’t on your side and you would rather the job be completed properly, it might be best to hire the professionals. Not only will professional cleaners save you the elbow grease but they know what property managers are looking for and they’ll make sure to deliver. At iThink, we strongly recommend getting in a professional cleaner. We have many suppliers that will ensure the house is left in top condition. If you require any details, please do not hesitate to contact us, we would be more than happy to provide you with the people we know and trust.
If you’d prefer to look into it yourself, here are some services we recommend.
- Bond Cleaning
- Yard and Garden Maintenance
- Handyman Maintenance
DIY CLEANING
A vacating clean is a much larger job than just your usual fortnightly clean. But if you think you’re up to the challenge of doing it yourself, we’ve put together a list of what needs to get done before you move out.
- Floors: All floors must be free of stains. Timber and tile flooring must be mopped, and carpets cleaned professional (as per above).
- Lights: All light bulbs must be in operating order, and all light fittings must be free of dust and debris.
- Windows: Windows must be cleaned, on the inside and outside. This includes all running tracks, this is one thing tenants always forget, so please make sure you add it to your list. Blinds must essential and curtains laundered (on approval). For handy hints on how to clean your blinds click here
- Walls: All marks need to be removed and walls to be wiped down with sugar soap.
- Bathrooms: Tiles, grouting, vanity and ceiling free of mould and soap scum. Toilets need to be washed inside and out. The exhaust fan needs to be cleaned, and the shower screens need to be free of soap scum. For some tips and tricks on how to eliminate that annoying soap scum, make those sinks shine and banish mould for good visit these links: Soap Scum, Sinks , Banish Mould
- Kitchen: All cupboards are washed inside and out, including kickboards. Oven, stove, cooktop and grill free from grime and food scraps (including the oven door, trays and racks). Exhaust fans and removable vents free of residue. Click here to find out how to clean your stove like a pro.
- Bedrooms: built-in wardrobes cleaned out and free of dust (including the tracks). Any mirrors cleaned and ceiling fans free of dust.
- Laundry: Laundry tub cleaned and floors mopped. Click here to learn how to clean your drain in only 10 minutes!
- Other general maintenance: garbage bins cleaned and empty, air-conditioning filters cleaned, outside areas restored to their original condition.
LAST MINUTE
Now that you’ve done all the cleaning, there just a few more housekeeping items to deal with before you move on! Take a look at the below for some reminders on what not to miss:
- Ensure you have completed the exit condition report
- Disconnect utilities and collect the final reading
- Provide your real estate with a copy of all cleaning receipts (carpets and pest control)
- Ensure ALL keys are returned as you are considered liable for rent until all are handed over.
ITHINK PROPERTY MANAGER – BEK SHEAHAN
07 4602 0111
toowoomba.rentals@ithinkproperty.com.au
With a background in Sales Administration and Property Management, Bek is drawn to the challenging and ever changing Real Estate world. No day is ever the same in Property Management which keeps Bek on her toes and is one aspect she loves about the industry.
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