At the core of move-out stress is the reality that a tenant is expected to return a house to new, showroom condition – at a time when they are physically exhausted from moving and are not exactly functioning at 100%. Landlords and property managers are looking for perfection, and as the Adelaide rental market continues to be among the tightest and most competitive in the country, property managers from the CBD through to Norwood, Unley, Glenelg and other suburbs are becoming increasingly strict with end of lease cleaning in Adelaide requirements.

It is not enough for windows to be cleaned and carpets vacuumed. From top to bottom, from inside to out, every surface and item in the property must be ‘as new’. A speck of dust in a window track, a faint smear of grease in the inside of an oven door and before you know it you’re up for a fortune for professional cleaning of premises that you had anticipated would be returned in near new condition and for which you’re expecting full bond return.

Whether you are making the move to a larger family home in the Hills or downsizing to an apartment in the city we have detailed below what Property Managers are looking for when conducting the final inspection of the rental property.

We have also detailed a room by room guide as to how to thoroughly clean each of the rooms. Finally we will also discuss whether or not you need to hire a professional bond cleaner or if you are able to do the cleaning yourself. At Gifted Hands Cleaning we specialize in end of lease cleaning in Adelaide wide including the CBD, Norwood, Glenelg and more areas.

Understanding the End of lease cleaning Adelaide in South Australia

What must you do before you grab a sponge or a bottle of bleach to clean your rental prior to moving out to hand the keys back to your property manager?

What Does Reasonably Clean Actually Mean?

When it comes to a residential tenancy agreement tenants are generally expected to leave the property in a reasonably clean condition to and state as it was found at the start of tenancy. The term ‘reasonably clean’ is subject to interpretation.

Some tenants fail to understand the difference between dirt or grime that has built up and normal wear and tear with use. As a general rule, marks on carpet or hard floor surfaces that are scratched or scuffed and are part of normal wear and tear with use, will not be considered as being unclean for the purpose of return of a tenant’s bond. Such marks include scuff marks to heavily trafficked hallway floorboards, faded or discolored curtains and other such marks.

All other deep and tough stains will be considered as being unclean and tenants will be held fully responsible for any such cleaning required. In addition, tenants will also be held fully responsible for any built up grime or any lack of general cleanliness of a property prior to a tenant’s vacating of a rental property. This is in addition to any other damage whatsoever to a rental property.

The Property Manager’s Perspective

When your local real estate agent conducts the final property inspection prior to handing over to new tenants, what do you think they are doing? No doubt most would think that the local real estate agent would be giving the property a once over to make sure everything is okay. But no, what they are really doing is conducting a forensic comparison between the photos of the property taken at the Ingoing Condition Report (ICR) and the property as it has been left by the tenant at vacate.

They are usually carrying out the inspection with the original Ingoing Condition Report & photos in hand. As such, they are actively looking for discrepancies between the current property & the original photos. They will check the top of all door frames for scratches, open oven doors to search for any baked on food, & even inspect behind where the washing machine was located. He / She will be looking for any signs of wear & tear or damage to the property & have a zero tolerance for any tenant left mess / damage.

Why It’s Different from a Standard Clean

The biggest error tenants make is incorrectly believing that a Spring clean and end of lease cleaning Adelaide is the same thing. No doubt when you finish a spring clean your home is once again vacuumed including the middle of all floor coverings and surface cleaned and wiped including bathroom wet areas etc.

A Property vacate cleaning in Adelaide however needs to concentrate on many of the no thought areas of the home, including skirting boards with heavy buildup of mud etc…, cleaning of inside out exhaust fans to rid of huge buildups of lint etc… & degreasing of all Range Hood filters and more in a top to bottom manner to try and absolutely 100% re clean the entire property prior to inspections.

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The Definitive End of Lease Cleaning in Adelaide Checklist

To ensure no stone is left unturned—and no bond money is withheld—we have broken down the ultimate move out cleaning Adelaide checklist. Approach this room by room to maintain your sanity.

The Kitchen: The Ultimate Battleground

• A Kitchen Inspection: The Greasiest Room in the House – What Inspectors Hate to Find. This is the most inspected room in a house for Final Inspection and there is a reason for this. Even though it is cleaned and left from day to day, a tremendous amount of fine grease is left behind in the air from cooking. Much of this greasy matter will settle on surfaces and attract dust as time passes by. The worst part is that much of this greasy matter can become very sticky and hard to remove as time passes by.
• The Oven & Rangehood: Grease deposit – A major issue with the cooking process leaving behind airborne grease particles that settle on surfaces, at draw time exposed to dirt & become stubborn. This is the number one reason bonds are withheld in South Australia. Let a heavy-duty, caustic oven cleaner penetrate carbon & grease for a few minutes. Then scrub to clean. Remove all oven racks and soak in hot soapy water. Pull out Metal Mesh Filter from Rangehood and run through hot cycle in Dishwasher or submerge in Boiling Water with Dec Greaser until grease dissolves and turns yellow. Use soft cloth and rubbing action to Polish Glass on exterior of Oven Door to remove any streaks.
• Cupboards & Drawers: Even when cleaned prior to inspection, it is common for large amounts of fine crumbs to have fallen to the base of empty cabinets. These must be vacuumed up prior to cleaning the inside of shelves, drawer runners, and the exterior of doors and handles. Handles in particular need a good cleaning as they can have dry, sticky fingerprints on them.
• Sinks & Tapware: Remember South Australia hard water? Then you will notice white calcium deposits in sink drains and on your tapware surfaces. Try a cleaner made to dissolve calcium in the first instance or a paste made from white vinegar and baking soda. Scrub with a non scratch surface and polish stainless steel surfaces until they are back to new again.
• Dishwashers: Clean the bottom to remove any accumulated food. Wipe around the rubber door seal too as mold and grime like to nest there. An empty cycle with a cup of white vinegar will give your washer a good clean and deodorize it.
• Benchtops & Splashbacks: Clean any food spillages and pay particular attention to the grout lines of tiled splashbacks located behind stovetops.

The Bathrooms: Battling Calcium and Grime

• Bathrooms and laundries are known as dirty work are a close second to kitchens as the biggest money sink for lost bond money. High moisture, temperature and products used on the body in wet areas create an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew, soap scum and hard water marks.

• Shower Screens: Due to the awful hard water calcium build up on glass shower screens, cleaning shower screens is an awful task that many dislike to do. Unfortunately due to the months of not cleaning shower screens they can get etched and develop into a hazy and dull appearance. Using a commercial shower screen cleaner will result in a perfect streak free finish. Due to the glass being very delicate, avoid using harsh abrasive cleaners and scrubbers as they can scratch the shower screen. Instead use non scratch pads and squeegees.

• Grout & Tiles: Look for pinkish colored bacteria or black mold growing in the grout lines. Use a bleach based cleaner to fill grout lines. Let it sit for a moment then use a stiff bristled brush to scrub the grout. Also make sure to clean all wall tiles to remove soap scum and other residue to fully clean the wall tiles.

• Toilets: Sanitize the inside of the bowl with a strong toilet cleaner and brush. Sanitize all areas of the outside of the bowl, especially the bottom of the bowl where it meets the floor as well as the seat hinges. In addition to these areas, clean the wall and floor directly behind the toilet as property managers often check this area.

• Bathroom Exhaust Fans: Clean the covers of bathroom exhaust fans, these are designed to extract damp, dusty air from the bathroom. The covers of exhaust fans can collect a thick grey layer of lint over time. Remove the cover and wash in warm soapy water, dry completely before replacing.

• Vanity Units & Mirrors: Give the contents of the drawers a good sanitize using antibacterial soap and warm water. You’ll then need to give the mirrors a good clean and polish with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth, ensuring there are no unsightly streaks or worse – bits of lint left behind.

Living Areas & Bedrooms: The Devil is in the Details

• Walls & Skirting Boards: Walls all receive scuff marks from chairs, hand marks, footwear and so much more. I personally like to give the sugar soap a good wash as it will wash away scuff marks without taking paint off walls and really clean the surface for a new coat of paint to adhere better. Skirting boards or baseboards collect tons of dust all the time and need a very good dusting and cleaning before the tenants leave the premises.
• Windows & Tracks: Clean all interior and exterior window glass. In addition to dusting the window sill, the greatest danger of window tracks are the sliding parts where the window moves up and down. These parts fill up with insects, dirt and other debris over time. Try to vacuum out as much as possible with a crevice tool and then wash the corners with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush.
• Blinds and Curtains: The Venetian blinds will need a deeper clean than the dusting of the window sill covers. Make sure you clean from top to bottom of each blind slat on both sides with a soft cloth to remove any dust or greasy finger prints. The roller blinds and curtains should be washed in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Please refer to your lease agreement to confirm whether your curtains are to be professionally dry-cleaned or washed at home.
• Light Fittings & Ceiling Fans: Clean out the glass parts from all of the light fittings and also dust ceiling fans. This will inevitably get some dead insects in but these can be washed out with warm soapy water and left to dry before being put back. Likewise the thick lines of dust that build up on the top of the blades of ceiling fans over the long hot summer months will need to be wiped off.

The Floors: The Final Frontier

• Carpets: Vacuuming is just the first step. Virtually all South Australian lease agreements stipulate that carpets are to be professionally steam cleaned upon vacating of the property especially if pets have resided at the property. We cannot stress enough how damaging a carpet cleaning product from the supermarket will be These carpet cleaning products are designed to be used with a Rental style Rug Doctor type machine, these machines do not have sufficient suction to remove the cleaning solution from the carpet fibers, which results in the carpet being left soaking wet and allowing for mildew to occur.Likewise, there are no commercial grade cleaning solutions or brush systems in these machines to effectively remove deep set stains from carpets. Only a professional bond cleaner has the equipment and knowledge to complete the carpet cleaning to a satisfactory standard. The lessee must also keep a receipt of the carpet cleaning to produce to the real estate agent as proof.

• Hard Floors: Again sweep or vacuum the floors thoroughly to remove all dirt and hair. Then using hot water and floor cleaner mop all the hard floor coverings. Make sure you wring out the mop as much as possible to avoid flooding any floor that floats i.e. most timber floor coverings. Inspect all areas for any residue of sticky spills or scuff marks from shoes etc. If found, clean as required before they dry.

The Exterior: Don’t Forget the Outside (If Applicable)

If your property has an outdoor space such as a yard, balcony, patio or garage then your responsibility to clean up does not stop at the entrance to your rental property.

Clear leaves & other debris from balconies and patios. Scrub all concrete or tile work to clear dirt & prevent any staining.

• Garages & Carports:Start by cleaning your garage from top to bottom. Take everything out of your garage space.Then sweep the floor to remove all dirt and grime. If you have been leaking oil from your car then you must treat the concrete with a heavy-duty degreaser or drive-way cleaner in order to try and lift the oil stain as much as possible.

• Cobwebs: Use a broom to sweep cobwebs from the exterior eaves of the house, from around porch lights and other outside features as well as from the corners of the garage.

• Garden and Lawns: Mow lawn, trim edges, and tidy the garden. This would generally be considered to be part of the garden maintenance that you have agreed to as a term of your rental agreement.

Professional End of Lease Cleaning in Adelaide: Making the Right Choice

A Comprehensive Checklist Of The Work You’ll Need To Do For Your  End Of Lease Cleaning. As you work your way through the mammoth list of work required to clean your rental property for your end of lease  cleaning in Adelaide you will surely begin to consider the options before you. The two options are for you to complete the work yourself to save the money that a professional cleaning service would charge, or you could employ a professional end of lease  cleaning in Adelaide service to complete the work for you.

Do  End Of Lease Cleaning in Adelaide offer any advantages in relation to costs?  Yes – Save Upfront!  If you have got some spare time in your hands to complete your end of lease  cleaning in Adelaide (bonds) then keeping the cash in your pocket is definitely a large advantage and often the reason many choose to complete their bond cleaning themselves.  Also many are under the illusion of just how long and hard it will take as well as the specialist chemicals and all cleaning tools that are needed to complete the end of lease  cleaning in Adelaide property in a professional fashion that will garner a bond return in full.

The Cons: For those who are deceiving themselves into thinking that bond cleaning is done free of charge because they have all the time in the world – end of lease  cleaning in Adelaide  is work from start to finish. It can take an average person 1 to 3 days to complete from start to finish depending on the situation and how much effort is put in.

Also there is the amount of money that has to be spent on cleaning products alone. High quality cleaning products are not cheap, especially the ones that are needed for window tracks, ovens and bathroom showers and sinks etc. Even a simple cleaner for grease and grime can cost upwards of $20 for a decent bottle. And don’t forget about the huge amount of cleaning sponges and mops that will be required. The costs for all of the above can very quickly add up and end up being more than what it would cost to have the house professionally cleaned from start to finish.

The biggest risk to you is that the property manager will have a keen eye for detail and find items that you haven’t cleaned properly. Items such as the window tracks, or the oven glass can be particularly difficult to clean and if not cleaned properly the property manager will fail the inspection. In this event you will have to return to the property to clean, which in most cases will be after you have handed over the keys to the property. Alternatively the agent will send someone to clean the property for you at an inflated rate and then charge this back to you against your bond.

The Professional Approach (Gifted Hands Cleaning)

Hire Professionals: End of lease  cleaning in Adelaide saving your time & physical efforts of bond cleaning, especially during busy moving periods. The Cleaners from professional  End Of Lease Cleaning In Adelaide companies use the necessary commercial cleaning equipment and powerful cleaning chemicals that are best to remove any tough stains of water and tough grease etc. removed from ovens and other kitchen appliances in properties. The cleaners also provide a bond back guarantee, which is really important in order to avoid any additional stress and possible extra charges for professional end of lease  cleaning in Adelaide

Common Mistakes That Cost Tenants Their Bond

Even the best of intention is not enough to save tenants from losing their bond. Avoid these simple mistakes and you will be okay!

• Neglecting to clean the window tracks: These are the favorite checking point of property managers. Even the cleanest house can fail the inspection if the window tracks are dirty.
• Don’t Throw Away Your Deposit by Leaving Rubbish Behind: The property must be left 100% empty and clean. Ensure all outdoor wheelie bins are emptied and taken with you. Any old furniture, unwanted household items etc left at the property will incur a huge charge for the agent to remove the rubbish. Allow 6-8 weeks prior to vacating to arrange for disposal of all waste.
• Oven/Rangehood – I never used the oven, so it’s fine – No, Property Managers are not impressed by this excuse. Grease etc. may have built up despite minimal use and must be shown to be completely clean as if it has not been used all year.

Most errors happen because tenants underestimate the time required to complete a task. They start to clean at 5PM on the evening of return and, as a result, are not able to give the attention to the cleaning required. They rush, miss some things and as a result fail. Always double the time required for such tasks.

Why Gifted Hands Cleaning is Adelaide’s Trusted Bond Cleaning Partner

Scrubbing grout with a toothbrush is one of the many dreaded tasks associated with the move of a property and our team at Gifted Hands Cleaning can assist with the final cleaning of your property so you can move with ease and allow the real estate agents and property managers to complete their final inspection without any issues. We are the best Adelaide cleaning company for this type of work.

The Gifted Hands Difference

Gifted Hands Cleaning is a locally owned and operated Adelaide business with many years of experience providing quality cleaning services to all types of homes including heritage properties in areas such as Norwood, as well as modern apartments in the CBD and other areas of Adelaide. We understand what property managers and real estate agents are looking for in a cleaning service and bring the necessary skills, knowledge and specialized cleaning equipment to meet their high standards, including cleaning around tough hard water stains found in many Adelaide homes.

Our Bond Back Guarantee

We offer a comprehensive Bond Back Guarantee. This means that if any part of the cleaning is not to the standard required by your property manager and is picked up in the final inspection, we will return to clean the area again and if necessary re-clean until your agent is completely satisfied that the property will obtain 100% bond back.

Comprehensive, Hassle-Free Service

We bring all of our equipment, including commercial grade and eco-friendly cleaning products, to complete the cleaning of your property. All of our staff are fully insured and are highly trained and meticulous in their work to ensure that the job is done to the highest standard.

Seamless Booking Process

Moving is stressful enough, so we make our part easy by offering an easy online booking system with easy online quotes and bookings to suit around your moving day schedule.

Move Out with Confidence

Tenants navigating the end of their tenancy in Adelaide do not have to suffer through disputes over bond and associated cleaning costs. In order to safely return the rental bond, end of lease cleaning in Adelaide can be coordinated and completed with due diligence.

Using our definitive end of lease clean checklist, you can be assured your property will be returned to the original condition. This will ensure that you receive the full return of your rental bond, whether you decide to clean your home yourself or enlist the help of a professional cleaning service to save your time and energy.

Book Your End Of Lease Cleaning In Adelaide Today

The end of your tenancy will be with you to deal with before you know it and before you know it you will be excited to be moving into your new home and the last thing you want is for cleaning stress to detract from that. Leave it to the experts to deal with the grime and dirt for you.

Contact Gifted Hands Cleaning today to get a FREE No Obligation Quote for your End of Lease Clean.

Secure your free quote today and we will take care of the end of lease  cleaning in Adelaide for you while you focus on your new home. Visit us at giftedhandscleaning.com.au or contact our friendly local team today.