If you want your full security deposit back, you must ensure the property is in the same condition as when you initially moved in.
If your tenancy has ended and you want to make the premise look flawless, there’s no alternative to end of lease cleaning.
Yes, you can do it yourself. But with all the other tasks, it’s easy to miss something, which is why most tenants hire professional exit cleaning services during lease termination.
But how do you know which ones are the best for you? Well, this guide is here to help you.
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A Detailed Guide to Choosing the Best End of Lease Cleaning Service
If the property is not like it initially was, the landlord might deduct some percentage from the security deposit return.
With all the chores at hand, a deposit deduction is the last thing anyone would want. Besides, end of lease cleaning is one of many tenant responsibilities.
So, before you hire professional cleaners, here’s a list of things you need to check and questions you need to ask!
Ask Them about Their Qualification
Many people prioritise cost over qualification, but that’s not wise. You can compromise the price, but you should always strive for their qualification and experience. They should have some AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) certificate.
Certificate III in cleaning operations is the best, which can only be obtained through Government training programs. If a cleaning company has this certification, you can rest assured that they can handle your move-out cleaning checklist.
Check Their Experience and Reviews
No government rule states how many years of experience you need in the field. However, the general rule of thumb is to hire deep cleaning services with at least 3 years of experience in the field. The more experience they have, the better they can clean.
You can also ask them for references from their previous clients. Although it’s a stretch, you can contact them and ask whether they still recommend this cleaning company. If they were satisfied with their results, there’s a high chance you’ll be too.
Last but not least, you can check their cleaning service reviews online. This can be checked through either Google or their Social media page. Look up their names on the site, and the reviews will appear.
Remember, you should check positive and negative reviews because they are two parts of the same coin. It’s better to go for companies with 4 stars (out of 5) or above. Shady companies won’t even have reviews, so keep an eye on that.
Know the Pricing Precisely
Although the cost shouldn’t affect your judgment, knowing how much they are asking is smart. This way, they won’t be able to charge you extra for any possible hidden cost. You should be well aware of all the cleaning cost estimates.
Knowing the price also helps you compare it with other bond cleaning service providers. This way, you can be certain that the cleaning company isn’t ripping you off.
If you’re ashamed of asking the price, don’t be! The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) encourages every business and service to accurately display their price. So remember to ask!
Finally, ask them about VAT and taxes. Some unethical companies hide the VAT and tax prices to make it seem like their costs are low. Make sure all the VAT and taxes are included in the main price, then make the deal.
Ask Them about the Cleaning Basis
Remember that you’ll only get your bond refund in full if you pass the landlord’s inspection of the property. You need to ask whether they charge based on hours or premise size.
Cleaning based on hours won’t guarantee you anything. No one knows how many hours it might take to clean the entire property. Besides, they can be lazy and charge you more for the extra hours.
You should always make deals based on your property size and the number of rooms. They’ll inspect the premises and give an estimated cost. No hidden charges, no extra hassle!
Having an Insurance Policy Helps
Even professional cleaners are humans, and humans can make mistakes. This is why you should go for a cleaning company that provides insurance for any damage during the whole cleaning process.
Since your task is to return the property to its original state, you should have a property condition report. The report will have details (written, photo or video) of the original condition of the premise.
Keep a copy of the report to yourself and give one to the cleaning company. This way, you’ll know if they damaged anything during cleaning. If they unfortunately do some damage, the insurance will cover it. Insurance is peaceful for your mind!
Professional and big-name companies will have no problem agreeing to insurance. If the company of your choice hesitates or nags about insurance, it’s a red flag you should avoid.
Proper Tools and Equipment
Ask them about what they use for cleaning. Eco-friendly cleaners are no longer an option. They’re mandatory.
Using such products will leave no harmful residue on the property, giving you better impressions for the move-out inspection. A better impression means a better chance of getting a full refund.
Some companies are all talk, no show. False claims are on the rise in Australia. So make sure they use green products and follow the cleaning standards. Don’t get greenwashed!
Checklist for End of Lease Cleaning
If you want to make your premise look flawless and get a full deposit return, here are all the things and places you need to clean –
- You should repaint the walls and remove screws, nails and hooks.
- You should clean/vacuum the carpets (if any).
- Clean all the windows, doors and the tracks.
- Check all the furniture if you rent a fully furnished premise.
- You should clean bathrooms and kitchens.
- Remember to clean the skirting boards.
- Go room by room.
- You should also repair any damage done during the rental period.
- Clean the outdoors as well.
- You should also remove all sorts of modifications to the property.
The checklist is wider than this chart here. All of it depends on the lease agreement terms. Sometimes, if the landlord agrees, you might not have to do some things on this list.
Doing It Yourself Vs Hiring Professionals for End of Lease Cleaning
At some point, everyone wonders whether it would be wiser to clean yourself. The answer depends on many things. First of all, professionals know everything. They know what cleaning solution or tools to use. They know how to use those products. This way, there’s little to no chance of damage during the cleaning process.
Taking matters into your own hands might not be that wise. For starters, you don’t have enough workforce. Cleaning the entire premise alone or with a few friends will take way longer. The time wastage isn’t worth it.
Doing it yourself also risks damaging something during the cleaning process. Since it’s a matter of deposit return, investing in a professional cleaning service would be better. They will ensure you get a full refund.
Final Words
Restoring the property to its original state is the only way of getting a full deposit return. To do that, you need to hire the best end of lease cleaning service provider. Follow the guide, ask the questions, and you’ll likely get the absolute best!
Speaking of the best, Eco Cleaning Brisbane has been continuously satisfying Brisbane residents for more than 20 years. We have fully trained cleaners, AQF certifications, insurance, bond guarantee and a flexible schedule. With all this, you can rest assured that your premises will look clean before inspection day.
