Top Bond Cleaning Failures That Lead To Bond Deductions

Nothing is more stressful than preparing a rental home for the final rental inspection. With a competitive residential rental market, landlords tend to favour renters who demonstrate responsibility and stability. They follow strict standards for the final rental inspection to ensure the property is clean, with only fair wear and tear.

If you fail to comply with pre determined end of lease cleaning requirements, landlords have the right to withhold your full rental bond (which is equivalent to four weeks’ rent). Tenants even face difficulties in finding the most suitable rental property nearby. So, it is more than your bond money.

Worry not! In this guide, we will unfold the top bond cleaning failures that can lead to bond deductions. By creating awareness and following the right hacks, you can easily pass your final rental inspection. You just focus on adopting an optimistic mindset when moving out.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Leaving High Ceilings Untouched

This is one of the biggest failures that can put your bond at stake. People often focus on eye level surfaces to spruce up a room and forget to clean ceiling fans, vents, light fixtures and fittings. Dust laden ceilings can cause indoor air pollution and even trigger allergies and respiratory disorders.

That’s one of the reasons why professional end of lease cleaning Sydney experts follow a top to bottom approach. This will help you cover every nook and cranny with ease. You can use a telescopic duster to reach ceiling fan blades, mouldings, light fixtures and shelf tops. For air vents, use a vacuum cleaner or soak filters in hot soapy water.

Tip: Use a microfibre cloth to tackle dust particles, pet hair and other allergens.

2. Unfinished Kitchen Cleaning

There is no denying that a kitchen is one of the germiest rooms, and that’s why landlords pay special attention during a final rental inspection. If you fail to meet the kitchen cleaning requirements, landlords can deduct your bond money. The common kitchen cleaning failures include:

• Greasy oven racks and stove tops
• Food marks on kitchen cabinets and countertops
• Clogged sink and garbage disposal
• Dirty working tops
• Grease laden backsplash area

Make sure you deep clean every nook and cranny with precision to prevent foodborne illness and impress your fussy landlord.

3. Filthy Bathroom Fixtures and Fittings

Did you know that the majority of tenants lose their bond due to dirty bathrooms? Hard water stains on showers, limescale on taps, mould between grout lines, and brown stains on a toilet seat can harbour lethal germs and bacteria. Many people even end up damaging delicate surfaces using the wrong techniques or abrasive tools. So, it is essential to follow the right techniques and focus on a top quality end of lease cleaning Sydney to prevent bond deductions.

Tip: White vinegar can help remove soap scum from shower screens, handles, and toilets, while hydrogen peroxide is perfect for removing stubborn mould stains.

4. Stubborn Stains and Marks on Walls and Baseboards

House walls often go unnoticed by the renters. However, landlords and property owners thoroughly inspect every inch of it. Dusting windows and baseboards may not be enough to pass the inspection. Fingerprints, adhesive stains, crayon marks and other scuff marks can make a space look neglected.

You can spot clean walls using non abrasive tools and mild cleaners. Ensure you test the product on a hidden area to prevent discolouration or dullness.

5. Streaky Windows Leads to Bond Deductions

Believe it or not! Landlords have a hawk eye when inspecting windows inside and out. They check the glass surface, window sills, tracks and panes. Bond deductions may occur due to dust buildup on the window frames, nasty streaks on the window glass, and dirt on the overall window frames.

It is good to remove dry dust first using a handy vacuum cleaner or an old toothbrush. It can help you clean nooks and crannies like window tracks. After that, apply a white vinegar and warm water solution and scrub the glass gently with a sponge.

Lastly, run a rubber squeegee to remove water marks and soap residue. This will help you achieve streak free results. Make sure you clean the windows from the outside to secure your bond.

Note: Don’t clean windows on a sunny day as water or soap dries quickly, leaving streaks behind.

6. Stained Carpets and Rugs

There is no denying that carpets are the most expensive household investment. That’s why landlords expect them in a clean and refreshed condition post move out. However, many tenants end up damaging the fibres due to abrasive scrubbing, excessive moisture buildup and harsh chemicals. Pet hair, embedded dust, spills, splatters, and lingering odours can be key causes of bond cleaning failures.

You can hire professional carpet cleaning Sydney services, especially if there is a specific carpet cleaning clause in your lease agreement. You can also steam clean the carpets to restore their original condition. Also, understand fair wear and tear in carpet and fix the issue to prevent disputes.

7. Neglecting Hard to Reach Areas

Difficult to access spots tend to catch property owners’ eyes. Whether you don’t have the right cleaning supplies or are running under a time crunch, leaving these areas could lead to bond deductions. Some of the common hard to reach areas that need cleaning are:

• Behind and under the heavy appliances
• Rangehood filters
• Exhaust fans
• Top of cupboards
• Underneath furniture pieces
• Inside drawers
• Garbage disposal
• Door tracks, etc

8. Neglecting the Outdoor Area

A rental property with an outdoor space requires more time for a quality end of lease cleaning Sydney. Most renters fail to clean the lawn, driveways, patio area, garage and storage area, balcony floors, walls and railings. These could lead to bond disputes.

Make sure you follow a pre approved cleaning checklist to cover every nook and cranny without any failure.

Infographic: Common Bond Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid

Wrapping Up

End of lease cleaning is one of the most crucial tasks, especially in Sydney and other metropolitan cities. Landlords can withhold your full security deposit if you fail to return the property in a pristine condition beyond normal wear and tear. Make sure you avoid these failures and leave a great impression on your landlord.