Imagine you’re stressed about all those Taco Bell waste bags lying on your kitchen island, mould creeping up your bathroom walls, the unmaintained backyard, and your rental property routine inspection date is near!
Sounds overwhelming?
Well, it doesn’t have to be anymore!
Whether you’re securing your bond at the end of a lease or maintaining a property in peak condition, preparation is essential. This blog explores a detailed rental inspection checklist, providing step-by-step guidance to help you ensure a clean and tidy rental property at minimum notice.
Why Rental Inspections Matter For Both Tenants And The Landlords?
Rental inspections hold strong importance for both the tenants and the landlords. Generally, landlords can conduct rental inspections for about 4 times per year with at least 7 days notice. Suppose you own a property with this economy in Sydney, it is obvious that you’ll be conscious about its maintenance and overall condition to ensure it remains in top shape. Annual rental inspections allow landlords to assess the property’s condition and ensure it’s in good working order.
For tenants, these rental inspections provide an opportunity to deal with minor wear and tear in the property before they escalate. Moreover, these rental inspections are legally required as well to address any concerns tenants might have with effective communication and deal with them accordingly.
Preparing For A Rental Inspection: A Step-By-Step Checklist
Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, preparation for the rental inspection is required for both parties. Your landlord journey begins the moment you hand over the keys to your tenant throughout the lease period. It means that you must be ready for routine inspections and quality check-ups of your property.
Requirements For A Landlord:
- As a landlord, this is what you are required to do in order to prepare for a rental inspection:
- Notify your tenant at least 24 hours before the inspection in case of emergency. If you violate this rule (except if your tenant seems suspicious), your tenant can claim a legal violation of the lease agreement.
- You can conduct 4 inspections throughout the year.
- Make sure you are aware of all the items in your rental inspection checklist according to the lease agreement to avoid conflicts.
Requirements For A Tenant:
As a tenant, it is your prime responsibility to keep the property in top condition. It not only promotes trustworthiness with your landlord, but it also helps you secure a 100% bond-back with your end-of-lease period. Follow these tips for an organized home and a smooth inspection:
- Review the lease agreement:
It is highly recommended to familiarize yourself with your obligations in the lease agreement. Some agreements include specific clauses about property upkeep, such as maintaining smoke alarms or ensuring light switches are operational.
So it’s better to be aware of your responsibilities beforehand to avoid conflicts and penalties. - Start cleaning early:
Don’t wait for the last-moment rescue. Start deep cleaning the property early to address potential issues (if any) and their solutions. Focus on areas that are mandatory for inspection such as kitchen, bathrooms, and hard-to-reach areas. - Inspect for repairs:
It is important to check any items in the property that require to be repaired from sliding doors and windows to handles, and locks. You can report any damage to your property manager that falls under wear and tear. - Check appliances:
While you are preparing for your rental inspection, make sure to check all the kitchen appliances are fully functional. It provides you the opportunity to repair if there’s any dysfunctionality in any home appliance.
Pro Tip: Collaborate with professional end-of-lease cleaning service providers for detailed cleaning assistance. Learn how we handle deep cleaning tasks for a stress-free experience with our detailed end-of-lease cleaning service here.
Key Cleaning Tasks To Pass Your Rental Inspection
The Real Estate Agency (REA) follows a strict cleaning checklist to ensure that the property is spotless and all the appliances are fully functional. They look for spots, stains on the wall, moulds, pest infestation, pet damage, an unmaintained yard, and many more on the list. Read further to get tips on passing your rental inspection in one go.
How to clean the kitchen and appliances for rental inspections?
Kitchens are always the most notable and highly targeted areas for detailed inspections. Grease, grime, and food residue on appliances are common issues that landlords report. Here are some tips for effective cleaning:
- Clean the oven, stovetop, and range hood using degreasers.
- Empty and sanitize the refrigerator.
- Wipe down all countertops, cupboards, and backsplash tiles.
For those struggling with stubborn grease stains, our professional kitchen cleaning services will be a game-changer for you.
Effective bathroom cleaning tips:
Just like the kitchens, bathrooms require keen attentive cleaning so that there’s no mark of stain left on any mirror or wall. Mould in grout lines, soap scum on shower screens, and water stains on taps can hurt your inspection results. Follow these tips for effective cleaning:
- Scrub grout with mold removal solutions.
- Clean and polish all mirrors and glass surfaces.
- Sanitize sinks, toilets, and tubs.
Need a spotless property before your final inspection? Our comprehensive end-of-lease cleaning services specialize in tackling these problematic areas with 100% bond-back guaranteed.
Carpet and upholstery cleaning: steam or shampoo?
You might not know but your carpet has been hiding a lot of dust and dirt underneath that requires careful attention. If you own carpets and upholstered furniture, you might be confused about whether to choose steam cleaning or shampoo cleaning.
- Steam cleaning is ideal for deep cleaning and removing allergens. It is perfect for tenants with pets or cleaning after long-term use. So if you’ve such a requirement, choose steam cleaning.
- Shampoo cleaning is highly effective and best for removing heavy stains and providing a fresh scent.
It is recommended to consider professional carpet and upholstery cleaning services for high-quality results.
Walls, windows, and floors _ Don’t miss out on these details!
Windows are often overlooked areas when it comes to rental inspection. These areas can significantly impact your inspection results. It’s like a make-or-break situation. So, follow these tips for effective cleaning of such areas:
- Spot-clean scuff marks and fingerprints on walls.
- Wash windows inside and out to let natural light in.
- Mop and vacuum floors, paying special attention to corners.
Common Rental Inspection Mistakes To Avoid
There are a lot of common mistakes people make while preparing for the final rental inspection which potentially impacts the integrity of landlord insurance.
Here’s a list of 5 common mistakes to avoid while preparing for the rental inspection:
- Neglecting smoke alarms and safety checks.
- Skipping over hard-to-reach areas.
- Overlooking walls, windows, and floors.
- Leaving mould and grime in bathrooms.
- Unmaintained outdoor spaces.
It is recommended to schedule a mock inspection with a cleaning professional checklist to catch overlooked tasks and give yourself time to correct them.
DIY Vs Professional End-Of-Lease Cleaning Service – What Works The Best?
Choosing between a DIY and a professional end-of-lease cleaning service depends on the availability of resources and time management. Imagine your final inspection day is approaching and you find yourself in search of the necessary cleaning supplies. It is when the professional services come to the rescue. Here’s a comprehensive overview of both DIY and Professional end-of-lease cleaning services.
| Factor | DIY Cleaning | Professional end-of-lease cleaning |
| Expertise and experience | May lack proper training and experience. | Highly trained and experienced professionals. |
| Quality of cleaning | Uses basic, over-the-counter cleaning products. | Utilizes industrial-grade products and equipment for a deeper clean. |
| Time management | Time-consuming and may take longer to complete. | Quick and efficient, saving you time for other tasks. |
| Coverage | Risk of missing hard-to-reach areas or spots. | Follows a checklist to ensure every area is thoroughly cleaned. |
| Bond recovery | No guarantee for bond recovery or satisfaction. | Offers satisfaction guarantees, increasing the likelihood of full bond return. |
Don’t risk losing your bond—our expert cleaners are here to help. Book our professional end-of-lease cleaning service today to enjoy a stress-free inspection tomorrow!
Final Checklist Before Your Property Inspection
Finally, make sure to double-check all the requirements based on your legal lease documents. Go through the checklist and see if anything has been missed.
- Walk through each room with this checklist to ensure all tasks are completed.
- Take photographs of the property for documentation.
- Fix any last-minute issues, such as loose handles or sliding doors.
Tips to declutter and organize before an inspection
- Start Small: Begin with one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Use Storage Solutions: Invest in baskets, bins, and shelving to keep items organized.
- Dispose of Unnecessary Items: Donate, recycle, or discard items you no longer need.
- Create a Cleaning Schedule: Allocate specific days for decluttering and cleaning tasks.
Need a spotless property before your final inspection? Book our professional end-of-lease cleaning services in Sydney today! Don’t risk losing your bond—our experts are here to help.
