A well-maintained property will help you achieve higher rental prices, fewer vacancies, and increase your ROI! When a tenant moves out of your rental property, it’s crucial to conduct end-of-tenancy cleaning to ensure your rental is sanitary and in its best shape.
End-of-tenancy cleaning is important not only for legal reasons but also to ensure that your next tenant is getting a fresh start in their new home. End-of-tenancy cleaning can be a daunting task. However, there are various strategies you can use to make this process as efficient as possible. Continue more to learn about the benefits of end-of-tenancy cleaning!
What is End of Tenancy Cleaning and Why Should Landlords care?
End-of-tenancy cleaning involves thoroughly cleaning and preparing your rental property for its next tenant. This type of cleaning is essential for many reasons. It ensures the property is in an excellent state for the next tenant and helps your investment maintain its value over time.
Landlords have a legal obligation to provide safe and clean property for tenants. End-of-tenancy cleaning helps landlords meet this requirement, avoid costly repairs, reduce tenant complaints, and limit liability if a tenant causes property damage before moving out.
Not performing end-of-tenancy cleaning may impact your reputation as a landlord. It could lead to negative reviews from previous tenants. You could also face legal issues if legal sanitation standards are not met.
End-of-Tenancy Cleaning Process
Before handing over possession of the property to a new tenant, landlords must take the time to do a thorough end-of-tenancy clean. Start by creating a checklist and setting a deadline for yourself.
Below is an example of a room-by-room breakdown of the necessary areas to be cleaned before your new tenant arrives.
Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most important areas when it comes to end-of-tenancy cleaning. All working surfaces, cupboards and drawers should be wiped down with anti-bacterial cleaner and then thoroughly dried.
You should clean appliances such as ovens, microwaves, cookers and refrigerators inside and out. The ventilation system will also need cleaning, as it can accumulate dust quickly. Once you’ve finished cleaning the kitchen, ensure all appliances are in working order by testing them.
Bathrooms
The bathroom is another key area to focus on during end-of-tenancy cleaning. Be sure to wipe down all surfaces with an anti-bacterial cleaner or disinfectant spray. This includes counters, medicine cabinets, shelves, shower screens, bathtubs, toilets, and sinks.
All mold and mildew should be removed from tiles and grout lines using a specialized cleaning product. Make sure you don’t forget about mirrors, showerheads, and faucets– these should also receive some attention when cleaning.
Bedrooms
While bedrooms seem like one of the simplest rooms to clean, they should still receive ample attention before a new tenant moves into the space. While performing end-of-tenancy cleaning, be sure to wipe down all shelves and drawers, the inside of closets, and remove any command hooks on the walls that previous tenants may have left.
Windows and Light Fixtures
Windows and light fixtures are often overlooked during end-of-tenancy cleaning. Wipe down window frames with warm soapy water before dealing with the windows themselves. Use glass cleaner spray for best results. Additionally, check whether window locks are secure.
When cleaning light fixtures, you can remove any shades or coverings and clean those with soapy water before drying and re-affixing them to the light fixture. This is also a great opportunity to replace any burnt-out lightbulbs.
Walls, Doors, Ceilings, and Floors
Before signing a lease with your new tenant, be sure to clean all doors, walls, ceilings, and floors. Remove stains with a suitable cleaning product. It’s important to be thorough when cleaning walls, as mold can easily build up if not treated correctly. Finally, check for any holes in the walls and fill them with plaster or filler.
Additionally, it’s important to take the time to wipe down the following features:
- Door handles
- Switch plates
- Baseboards and trim
- Built-in shelves
- Ceiling fans
- Vents
If you aren’t comfortable cleaning the walls, doors, and ceilings on your own, you can always hire a professional cleaning service. They will have the experience and equipment to thoroughly and safely clean, disinfect, and restore your walls, doors, and ceilings to their original condition.
When to Hire Professional Cleaners
You can hire professional cleaners to do a deep clean of your property if you don’t have the time or resources to do it yourself. It is best to use professional cleaners if your property is large or needs specialized cleaning services. For instance, if your property has carpeted floors, it’s best to hire a professional to do a deep clean.
However, before you hire a professional cleaner, be sure to ask for price estimates, payment terms, cancellation policies, and scheduling information and discuss what services are included in their packages. To avoid accruing unexpected costs, you can ask for estimates from any potential companies.
Follow Up Inspections
After you’ve completed your end-of-tenancy cleaning, be sure to double-check all areas of the house to ensure nothing was missed. We recommend checking the following before removing your cleaning supplies from the property.
- Doors, door handles, and floors
- Walls, baseboards, trim, and switchplates
- Ceilings, light fixtures, lightbulbs, and fans
- Built-in shelves
- Surfaces in the kitchen and bathrooms
- Interior and exterior of appliances
Conclusion
As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure your rental property is properly cleaned between tenancies. End-of-tenancy cleaning should cover all areas of the property, from floors and walls to appliances and ventilation systems.
If you find end-of-tenancy cleaning overwhelming or are concerned about getting your property ready to rent, reach out to the experts at Florida Property Management & Sales!