When tenants are nearing the end of their lease, they should make sure the property is left in good condition. If you leave dirt, grime or stains, the owner is…
6 Common End of Lease Questions
We do a lot of end of lease cleaning jobs in the Perth metro area, from Joondalup in the North, to Mandurah and Rockingham in the South, From Fremantle and Claremont in the West to Armadale and Midland in the East. These are some of the most common questions we come across.
Does cleaning your house regularly protect you from germs?
This is a popular question. And the answer to this question is yes, although it’s a bit more complicated than that.
There are millions of germs that can’t be avoided. ‘Germ’ by default isn’t a dirty word. There are several good germs that help your body to function. But we all want to kill those nasty germs that lead to seasonal viruses and spread through the household faster than lightning.
It’s good to maintain proper home hygiene and cleanliness, such as running the vacuum and dusting once or more per week. But the real problem areas are the ones that get the most traffic: the toilet, bathtub, and sink handles.
Think about it like this: Before you wash your hands, you turn on the tap by touching the handles. While your hands are now squeaky clean, the germs can live on those handles for days and even spread. So when you’re cleaning up, remember to also use a disinfectant on your doorknobs, toilets, handles, and tubs.
What is the best way to sanitize your house?
We all know that seasonal allergies can lead to coughing and sneezing. During these months, air purifiers and dusting supplies fly off the shelves. But it’s also good to keep your house sanitized throughout the year. Changing air filters and maintaining good home hygiene will minimize illness, as well as provide a safe environment for you and you loved ones.
So how do you go about it? First and foremost, don’t make the common mistake of disinfecting first. Spraying cleaning agent all over the counter won’t do much if you haven’t wiped up the splatters from last night’s spaghetti dinner. Aim to tidy up the area with a damp cloth or a vacuum first. Once it’s looking sparkling clean, it’s time to sanitize.
Whether it’s a spray bottle or a tub of wipes, anything that has the word “Disinfectant” on the label will do the trick. Resist drying surfaces after disinfecting them. The CDC in USA recommends allowing the disinfectant to air dry, which will give it enough time to kill all of those nasty germs.
Is it better to clean my rental unit myself before leaving, or hire a Perth based cleaning service?
There is an array of benefits to hiring a cleaning service, and there are plenty of reputable agencies in the Perth area. We humbly suggest you give us at Perth Home Cleaners a call.
Perhaps you are too busy to take on the task yourself, or perhaps you’re not convinced you can do a thorough job yourself. If your concern is the latter, there are plenty of helpful video tutorials online that will show you all the proper ways to clean your home, and many will even show you the proper cleansers to use.
If you do choose to go with a cleaning service, the best advice is also the most practical: Read reviews or look for articles discussing the top cleaning services. Online reviews, or referrals from family and friends, are the best way to gauge a service’s reputation. If you find a cleaning service advertised on a communal billboard, in the age of smartphones, you’ll be able to search its reputation in seconds. Arrange a consultation before scheduling a cleaning. Show the service the areas of your home that are of particular concern, and get a price upfront.
I’m leaving my rental in Perth, Western Australia. What do I need to know about cleaning up for the landlord?
In order for a security deposit to be returned, and as a measure of good courtesy, you must leave their rental unit in pristine condition. Or at least, as pristine as it was when you moved in. This may involve repairs as well. If you don’t consider yourself handy, be sure to hire a professional to repair any damages to the walls and fixtures. Be upfront with your landlord first, and if your landlord suggests a repair service, use it rather than seeking out your own.
You may hire a cleaning service to do the work for you, or you may decide to take the task on yourself. If you choose the latter, be sure to read the company’s reviews online first. And if you choose to clean your rental unit yourself, be sure to pay attention to the details: doorknobs, sinks, tubs, tiles, and all the areas where dirt can accumulate over time.
What should I do when I’m turning over my keys for my bond?
Once the property condition has been assessed, it is legally mandated for landlords to provide you with a copy of the Property Condition Reports, or PCR, within two weeks. This report will provide you with a detailed list of all the areas of your rental unit that are in satisfactory or unsatisfactory condition.
It’s good advice to take photos of your property the day you move in, and before turning over the keys on the day you move out. This way, if you disagree with the PCR, you can prove your case. If you’ve had any professional cleaning done, keep your receipts. This may include detailed carpet cleaning, basic home cleaning, or repair work.
You can’t be held liable for reasonable wear and tear. Carpets will inevitably wear down from daily foot traffic, walls and ceilings may crack due to weather changes, and upholstery and other fixtures will fade from being exposed to window sunlight.
You will only be liable if the damage could have been avoided, such as nails from hanging pictures and mildew in the bathroom. Negligence versus normal wear and tear is hotly contested when the landlord/tenant relationship goes poorly, which is when those condition photos come in handy.
Never underestimate the effect of a proper cleaning of your rental property before turning over the keys. Landlords certainly appreciate the care that their tenants put into making the home nice for the next resident.
How long will it take me to get my bond back after leaving a rental unit in Western Australia?
Between 7-28 days. Assuming you were current on your rent and there are no damages that need to be accounted for, you and your landlord will compose and sign an application for your bond to be returned to you.
Review the bond amount before signing, and never sign under duress. Seek legal counsel first if you dispute the amount or your landlord’s claims of damage. Be sure to retain photos of the property to prove your case.
If you’ve signed up for direct transfer, you can expect to receive your bond from the administrator within a month. You may also request a cheque.
What are some Spring Cleaning ideas?
Spring evokes a fresh, lively feeling when it arrives each year. This is one of many reasons people feel the urge to clean their homes. But another reason is that the flowers are in bloom.
While those flowers are pretty, they can also trigger seasonal allergies, and leave the air quality in your home suffering. Mold, dust, and mildew are another culprit. During the Winter, we leave our windows closed to keep out the cold air. As a result, by springtime, our homes have gone from cozy to less than fresh.
Therefore, the best place to start with spring-cleaning is to take out your vacuum and start vacuuming. Most vacuums have a dial that adjusts for carpets and hard surfaces, such as tiles or wood.
Give everything a thorough vacuuming to remove dirt particles before applying any carpet shampoos or floor cleaners. Consider purchasing floor mats for high-traffic areas, such as by the front door. It also helps to have a designated area for shoes. This will encourage people to remove them at the door, rather than tracking dirt and mud across your clean floors.
With the floors cleaned, tackling countertops, sinks and tubs is a breeze. It just requires a little elbow grease. There are many types of cleaning agents you can purchase at the store. Their purpose will be right on the label, and generally anything that includes the word “disinfectant” will suffice. Just be mindful not to use these around children or pets.
When dusting, be sure to remove each item from mantles and other surfaces. If they’re breakable, place them on a soft towel for safekeeping. Dust each item individually before returning them to the clean surface. For valuables, it is advised to use a gentle dry cloth, or a slightly dampened cloth. It is not advised to use wood polish or similar chemicals on antiques. This is because most antique furniture lacks the protective coating of modern furniture. When using wood polish on the appropriate surfaces, be sure to wipe it away immediately with a soft cloth. Allowing it to sit will cause unsightly stains.
If you don’t like harsh chemicals, there are also many tutorials online for do-it-yourself cleaners. White vinegar is a popular and safe alternative to harsh chemicals.
