Moving out of a rental property can be stressful, but ensuring a smooth transition doesn’t have to be. One of the most important tasks during the move-out process is completing a thorough bond cleaning to secure the return of your deposit. A detailed and well-organized bond cleaning checklist ensures you leave the property in pristine condition and comply with the standards set by your landlord or property manager. Below, we provide a comprehensive bond cleaning checklist to guide you through every essential area of the home, helping you achieve a spotless finish and increasing your chances of a full bond return.
Why Is Bond Cleaning Important?
Before diving into the checklist, it’s important to understand why bond cleaning is critical. Most rental agreements stipulate that tenants must leave the property in a clean and well-maintained condition, similar to when they first moved in. Failure to meet these cleanliness standards can result in deductions from your bond. A proper bond cleaning checklist helps ensure you don’t overlook any key areas and that the property is returned in the required condition.
Preparation for Bond Cleaning
Before starting your bond cleaning, make sure you are properly prepared:
- Gather cleaning supplies: Ensure you have all necessary equipment and cleaning products, including microfiber cloths, mops, vacuum cleaners, disinfectants, and specialized cleaning agents for surfaces like glass, tiles, and wood.
- Allocate enough time: Bond cleaning is an extensive process, so set aside sufficient time to complete all tasks, especially if you are cleaning a large property.
- Consult the lease agreement: Review your rental agreement to identify specific cleaning requirements outlined by your landlord or property manager.
Comprehensive Bond Cleaning Checklist
1. General Areas
The general areas of the home include living rooms, hallways, and bedrooms. These spaces see high traffic and often collect dust and grime.
- Vacuum and mop floors: Ensure that all floors are vacuumed, including under furniture and hard-to-reach corners. For hard surfaces, mop thoroughly with appropriate cleaners.
- Dust and wipe surfaces: Dust and clean all horizontal surfaces such as countertops, shelves, and window sills. Don’t forget to clean light switches, power outlets, and skirting boards.
- Clean windows and mirrors: Use a streak-free glass cleaner to wipe all windows, mirrors, and sliding doors.
- Remove cobwebs: Check ceilings and corners for cobwebs and dust, removing them with a microfiber cloth or duster.
- Clean air vents and ceiling fans: Dust and clean any air conditioning vents and ceiling fans to remove built-up dust.
2. Kitchen
The kitchen requires special attention during bond cleaning, as it is a high-use area prone to grease, food splatters, and stains.
- Clean the oven: The oven is one of the most scrutinized areas during inspections. Use an oven cleaner to remove grease and baked-on food from the racks, door, and interior walls.
- Wipe countertops and cabinets: Thoroughly clean all countertops, backsplashes, and cabinet doors. Pay special attention to greasy areas near cooking appliances.
- Degrease the range hood and filters: Remove the filters from the range hood and clean them with a degreaser. Wipe the exterior of the hood to remove any oil and dust buildup.
- Scrub sinks and taps: Use a disinfectant and scrub brush to clean the sink and polish the faucets to a shine. Ensure that drains are unclogged and free of food residue.
- Empty and clean the refrigerator: If you’re leaving the refrigerator, ensure it is fully emptied, defrosted, and cleaned inside and out.
3. Bathrooms
Bathrooms require thorough cleaning to eliminate soap scum, mold, and mildew, ensuring the space is hygienic and spotless.
- Scrub shower and bath tiles: Remove soap scum and mildew from shower walls, tiles, and grout using a tile cleaner or bleach solution.
- Clean the toilet: Scrub the toilet bowl, including under the rim, and wipe down the seat, lid, and tank.
- Polish mirrors and glass: Wipe all mirrors and shower glass with a glass cleaner to ensure they are streak-free.
- Wipe down cabinets and drawers: Clean out bathroom cabinets and wipe down the exterior.
- Clean sinks and taps: Scrub the sink basin and polish the taps to remove water spots and stains.
4. Bedrooms
Bedrooms, while often simpler to clean, still require a detailed approach to ensure all surfaces are pristine.
- Vacuum or clean carpets: If the property has carpets, vacuum thoroughly, ensuring you get into all the edges and corners. For stained areas, consider steam cleaning.
- Dust wardrobes and storage areas: Clean out closets and dust the shelves, hanging rods, and interior surfaces.
- Wipe doors and handles: Ensure that bedroom doors and handles are wiped clean and free from smudges.
5. Outdoor Areas
Don’t forget about outdoor areas such as patios, balconies, and yards, as these are also subject to inspection.
- Sweep and clean patios or balconies: Remove any debris from patios or balconies, and scrub the floors with a suitable cleaner.
- Mow lawns and trim gardens: If applicable, mow the lawn and trim any overgrown hedges or plants to ensure the yard looks well-maintained.
- Clean exterior windows: Wipe down all exterior windows to remove dirt and smudges.
Additional Bond Cleaning Tips
- Remove all personal items: Before the final inspection, ensure that all personal belongings are removed from the property.
- Repair minor damages: If there are any minor damages such as nail holes in walls, consider patching and repainting them to avoid deductions from your bond.
- Professional carpet cleaning: Some landlords or property managers may require professional carpet cleaning, so make sure to review your lease and hire a qualified service if necessary.
- Final inspection checklist: Use a final inspection checklist to go through the property once more, ensuring that all areas are thoroughly cleaned and ready for inspection.
Hiring Professional Bond Cleaners
Bond cleaning can be time-consuming and challenging, especially if you’re working with a large property. If you don’t have the time or energy to complete the cleaning yourself, hiring a professional bond cleaning service can save you a lot of stress. Professional cleaners have the experience, equipment, and expertise to ensure that your property is cleaned to the highest standards, giving you peace of mind when it comes time for the final inspection.
Advantages of Hiring Professional Bond Cleaners
- Guarantee of service: Many professional bond cleaning services offer a bond return guarantee, meaning they will return to the property and rectify any cleaning issues if the landlord or property manager is not satisfied.
- Comprehensive cleaning: Professionals know exactly what landlords and property managers look for during inspections, so they ensure that every aspect of the property is cleaned to meet these standards.
- Time-saving: Hiring professionals allows you to focus on other aspects of your move while the cleaning is handled by experts.
Final Thoughts on Bond Cleaning
A comprehensive bond cleaning is the key to a smooth and successful move-out process. By following the detailed checklist outlined above and addressing every area of the property, you can maximize your chances of receiving your full bond return. Whether you choose to tackle the cleaning yourself or hire a professional service, attention to detail is crucial in leaving the property in top condition.
