In many cases, a deep and thorough cleaning of your property is not just recommended but critical and essential. Moving out is one of these cases.
When you decide to change your address, there are indeed many tasks to handle.
However, cleaning after the end of your tenancy is not just a courtesy but a responsibility. It has significant importance, and here we’ll give you some very good reasons why cleaning a property after moving out is so crucial.
Get Your Deposit Back
Cleaning your property after the end of your tenancy isn’t just a nice way to say goodbye. It’s also guaranteed to get your deposit back.
Tenancy agreements usually require tenants to leave the property clean and tidy at the end of the rental period, and everyone who fails to do so is at risk of losing their security deposit.
During a thorough property inspection, your landlord or an inventory clerk will examine each corner of the property to ensure it is in the same condition as when you moved in.
Any wear and tear or insufficiently cleaned areas can lead to deductions from your deposit to cover cleaning and repair expenses.
Therefore, by deep cleaning your property, you will not only fulfil your contract obligations but also have peace of mind that you will get your money back.
It Is a Courtesy to The Next Tenants
The end of tenancy cleaning helps all owners keep their properties given on rent in a decent and hygienic health condition.
Now when you are about to move into a completely new home, you would be very angry and disappointed if you find it in a really nasty, dirty and unwelcoming condition on your first day, wouldn’t you? The same goes for the renters who will replace you in your current home.
By cleaning your property and leaving it in good condition, you will prepare it for the next tenants. This way, you will contribute to their smoother transition and save them the hassle of immediate cleaning of their new home.
In addition, the landlord may benefit from this, too. A clean and well-maintained property is more attractive and ensures it will be rented quickly, which reduces the time it remains vacant.
Simplify the Move-Out Process
You might hate cleaning, but here’s the deal: if you do it, the removal process gets way easier.
The move-out cleaning requires top-to-bottom cleaning, so you need to have the property fully emptied.
While you clean, you can throw away all unwanted and unused items. This is how you can actually reduce the number of storage boxes you will need, which means a bit cheaper removal. And it definitely means fewer items to pack and then unpack at your new home.
Getting Good References
Cleaning your rented property before moving out is not just about fulfilling obligations. It’s also about showing gratitude and respect for the place where you have lived and the property owner.
This creates a positive impression and could be useful, especially if you need a reference from the landlord to hire a new place.
If you leave the property in excellent condition, it is highly likely your landlord give you a positive reference, which can boost your chances of securing your new rental.
Help You Identify Damages
Apart from stains and dust, your landlord will also look for some damages during the property inspection. In the midst of the chaos of moving, it’s easy to overlook or miss such issues.
However, the deep cleaning of the property can help you avoid such a risk for your tenancy deposit return. This purge literally sharpens all human senses.
While scrubbing, washing and dusting, you will definitely notice any damage that should be fixed and take measures to prevent deposit deduction.
Provide a Clean and Healthy Environment
Bacteria and germs are great at spreading around, and it’s very difficult to stop them from attacking us. It’s almost impossible to kill them all, but what we can do is reduce them. A high level of hygiene is critical for this purpose.
That’s why a thorough end-of-tenancy cleaning of your rented property will not only ensure it is clean and sanitised but will also minimise the number of germs you will get to your new home and move in with.
What to Include At The End of Tenancy Cleaning?
Cleaning because of the upcoming removal is an obligation you owe to your landlord. As part of your tenancy contract, you must ensure that you will leave the property in the condition in which you’ve found it.
It must be spotless, which means that all rooms (kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms and living room), including stairs, landings, hallways, skirting boards, floors, etc., must be deep cleaned.
The appliances should be cleaned on the outside and inside, and you also will have to take care of the light fixtures, upholstery and carpets. If you fail to restore the space, your landlord will have the right to deduct money from your tenancy deposit.
To make things easier for you and save you the stress, we have prepared a list with instructions on what and how exactly it is supposed to be sanitised:
- Deep bathroom disinfection – de-scaling, de-liming, removal of all soap and hard water stains, as well as toilet sanitising, wiping out the surfaces, getting rid of gout and mould, washing the tiles, the glass items, and you name it;
- Thorough sanitising of the kitchen – removing grease, grime and burnt stains, floor vacuuming, disinfection of worktops and all kitchen cabinets; all appliances must be put back in their presentable condition;
- Bedrooms cleaning – all bedrooms must be de-cluttered, sanitised, freshened up, and, preferably, aired;
- Furniture – all cabinets, drawers, wardrobes, etc. should be emptied, wiped out and cleaned both – from the inside and the outside; stains and grime should be cleaned, soft coverings must be dusted, all hard surfaces should be wiped and polished to remove any marks and fingerprints;
- Other rooms and living zones – the balcony, the garden, the swimming pool, and the corridor require some deep cleaning, as well;
- Additional tips – the windows cleaning, upholstery sanitising and rug stain removal are included in the move-out clean, too. Remove the cobwebs and the dust and provide a decent antibacterial sanitising of all areas in the property;
Conclusion
From ensuring the return of your security deposit to building a good relationship with your landlord, end-of-tenancy cleaning can provide a lot of benefits. It’s a small investment, but it can have significant returns, so don’t underestimate its importance.
Therefore, the next time you’re preparing to move, remember to include it as a top priority in your to-do list. Contact professional cleaners, or just take those few hours to roll up your sleeves, grab some cleaning supplies, and ensure you leave your property in a pristine condition.
