Tenants end of lease cleaning and maintenance responsibilities

What are the end of tenancy cleaning requirements when you leave a rented property? Many will be surprised to learn that your standard weekly clean will not cut it.

When vacating your rental property you have several responsibilities to meet so do a cleaning and moving checklist and see to it that the property is handed back to the agent ready for occupation by the new tenant. Bearing in mind if you were the new tenant moving in, would you be happy with the condition which you’ve left behind?

Be proactive! Anything other than fair wear and tear is your responsibility. Don’t wait for your agent to do the inspection and then have to appoint contractors to do the necessary cleaning and making good at your cost, as the agent can charge you for their time as well. Do it before the time, considering this all takes planning and work and one knows at least a month to two months prior that you will be leaving on a certain date.

Here is a list of requirements below which may help you out:

CLEANING:

Well this is where we need to reiterate that your usual domestic clean won’t swing it. Don’t leave her there with a mop and broom while you’re busy moving into your new home and think a thorough spring clean will be carried out. Nine times out of 10 it won’t, leaving the agent having to call in professional cleaners (at your cost), because unless the domestic has been given explicit instructions to clean everything, inside & out, once the furniture has been removed, she will just do what her usual routine dictates.

So, once the furniture has been moved out ensure that it is thoroughly cleaned – it is best to employ the services of a professional cleaning company unless you are able to supervise your domestic (which few people are able as they’re also busy moving!).

For the end of tenancy ‘spring clean’ ensure that:

• STOVES/and inside OVENS are cleaned thoroughly and by professionals if needed. We recommend Oven Boys for a deep clean.
• Every cupboard is wiped out and thoroughly cleaned internally and externally (don’t forget those cupboard doors & handles)
• Wash down walls (and marks left by couches, beds, or where a cupboard stood), and thoroughly clean the skirtings and banisters
• Thoroughly clean bathrooms & sanitaryware
• Wipe away finger marks on and around light switches
• Clean windows, frames & sills
• Dust and wipe blinds
• Ensure carpeting is cleaned by professional carpet cleaners (see under Carpet heading below).
• Clean laminate, tiles, and wooden flooring from corner to corner (including the corners & skirtings).

BATHROOMS – Tiles, grouting, sanitaryware & Shower doors:

All need to be thoroughly cleaned from top to bottom, including taps, tiles, plugs, and drains.

Cleaning of bathroom shower doors/tiles/grouting should have been at least a weekly task during tenancy to ensure no mould on tiles & grouting and shower doors are kept clean & clear of white streaks on glass from soap residue & hard water stains which can imprint on the glass over time if not regularly cleaned (keeping a spray bottle of equal vinegar/water solution does the trick if done at least weekly). If a regular shower-door & tile/grout clean wasn’t done, a product stronger than vinegar would be needed. Make sure to give all a thorough deep clean/sanitise before vacating. If there are shower curtains, be sure to clean these too.

KITCHEN:

Oven interior and door are to be completely cleaned and degreased, and likewise hob, and leave counter tops and sinks sparkling. Wipe cupboard shelves and drawers.

CEILINGS:

If mould (black spots) has appeared on any ceiling or wall this is generally due to poor ventilation – clean off with a Jik dilution or “Mould Away” spray (purchase from supermarket or any hardware store) and it it’s particularly bad you may need to repaint the ceiling.

CARPETS:

Remember to book a carpet cleaning company in advance as they are always booked out over month-end, and timing is important as new tenant can’t move in with wet carpets, and also the property needs to very well aired – all windows open – for the day before you hand over to ensure they dry properly.

Therefore remember to arrange the carpet cleaning for a morning so that you can ventilate well for the rest of the day – if only done late in the day and not well ventilated, you could end being liable for replacing carpets as once that damp smell gets into them you cannot remove it.

HOLES IN WALLS FROM NAILS / TOUCH UPS:

VIP: If you have placed nails in the walls (which required permission) please remember that a touch up with Polyfill and paint paint won’t suffice. You are required fill the holes and paint the entire wall, wall-to-wall.  Patch-painting always shows as paint fades over time and the colour won’t match (even with white paint) – therefore it is not acceptable.

GARDEN/COURTYARD/PATIO/POOL:

Gardens & Pools – Lawn cut, bushes trimmed, and garden neat. A few weeks before you vacate instruct your garden service / gardener to start the tidy up. Remember to book the last call-out for a day close to the time you are leaving so that the grass is freshly cut. Likewise ensure that the pool is clean and everything is in good working order. 

Patios & Courtyards – these need to be swept & cleaned, and fallen leaves removed (place in refuse bags and take to nearest Municipal dump/drop off site, e.g. Rosmead Avenue, Kenilworth). Also bushes/plants cut back if necessary and neatened.

ALARM:

Advise your alarm company that you will be transferring the contract to your new address or that you are cancelling. Do this at least 1 calendar month prior to leaving.

REPAIRS:

Effect repairs to anything damaged or broken during the tenancy – if you are able to do this yourself, do so, but bear in mind that it needs to be done to a professional standard – so failing that call a known contractor (or ask the agent to supply contact details of known contractors).

CURTAINS:

If you have been left the use of curtains for the tenancy you should have them cleaned. DRY CLEAN if any possibility of shrinkage (check with agent/owner if washable or not).

BLINDS:

With wooden and metal blinds, please ensure that they are wiped down thoroughly. Nothing worse than seeing dust and years of build-up stuck to the blind, and again, the agent would have to organised cleaning at your cost if you don’t attend to it.

APPLIANCES (if included):

Clean washing machine & dishwasher inside and out.

NB: clean the door rubber, soap drawers & filters! Defrost & clean fridge/freezer. Descale kettle, clean toaster, and microwave inside and out. Be sure to clean the surfaces behind and underneath moveable appliances.

LIGHT BULBS:

Make sure all light blubs are in working order, i.e. replace any globes not working.

REFUSE BIN:

Clean the refuse bin, and leave it empty! Please do not leave the black bin filled with your last minute throw-away’s left for the next bin day and expect someone else to cart out. If you leave a full bin we will have to get a contractor to remove the contents (costing you a call-out which is currently a minimum of R450) – likewise for anything else left lying around.

So load up your last refuse and anything else you need to get rid of and take it to the nearest Municipal dump/drop-off site (e.g. Rosmead Ave, Wynberg) to make sure the refuse bin is clean and ready for the next occupant. The guys who work at the Municipal dumps are really friendly and helpful, and it only takes a quick trip.

ELECTRICITY:

Try not to leave a prepaid meter with next to nil points in the meter – moving day is hectic enough without the need to run around to top up. Make sure you return the pre-paid meter card, or have the number handy for the agent or new tenant.

KEYS/LOCKS:

Have all keys and remotes ready for handover.

POST:

Redirect well in advance (also if you advise the Post Office they will redirect for a few months at no charge).

The property should be returned in clean condition throughout. Please don’t adopt the attitude – “those windows weren’t done for us by previous tenant so why should we do it…”

Be mindful that you were there for the duration of the lease, mostly likely a year or more, so whether it was handed over clean or not, you will need to clean thoroughly as you were in occupation and enjoying the use of the property.

GOLDEN RULE: WHEN VACATING A PROPERTY… Leave it as you would like to find it!