Nowadays, more and more people are renting their homes. Every property owner must ensure that their property is looked after on the market. The concept of end-of-tenancy cleaning may not excite you, but it is a necessary task. You must ensure your property is clean and ready to occupy for your new tenants, regardless of whether you do the end-of-tenancy cleaning yourself or pay a specialist cleaning service.
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Should I perform it myself?
A professional end-of-tenancy cleaning service can perform this task, or you can do it yourself. If you have a letting agent, they should be able to arrange the end-of-tenancy cleaning on your behalf. It may depend on how close you live to the property and how much time you have. It may be more cost-effective to conduct the end-of-tenancy cleaning yourself if you have some free time and essential equipment.
This article provides a simple guide to help you do end-of-tenancy cleaning effectively. Let’s dive in.
End of tenancy cleaning checklist
You need to ensure that your property is in pristine condition before you rent it out to your new tenants, and you should clean it from top to bottom. However, there are several pain points that you should pay special attention to. Listed below are the focus areas you should concentrate on.
Prepare your cleaning equipment. This will include upholstery shampoo, scourers, proprietary cleaning fluid, cloths and rags, and spray bottles. Written below is more information on individual cleaning products.
- Walls. If the walls have scuff marks, you might be able to rub these off with a cloth, or you may need to repaint them.
- Doors. You should make sure that the handles on your doors are clean, and you should check that your locks are working correctly.
- Windows. A professional window cleaner can perform exterior window cleaning for you. Window cleaning should be done inside and outside.
- Ceilings. Check the corners of each room for cobwebs. An extendable broom may be necessary to clean the ceilings.
- Fixtures and fittings. You should ensure the upholstery is stain-free and dust and polish any light fittings and sockets.
- Carpets. You should consider renting a carpet cleaning machine if your carpets are soiled. These machines cost around £20 daily and are available at most supermarkets.
- Room by room. When you’ve accomplished everything on your checklist, you can move on to individual rooms and their pain points.
Kitchen end-of-tenancy cleaning
When it comes to cleaning at the end of tenancy, the kitchen is the most critical area because it’s also where dirt and grime are most likely to accumulate.
First, you need to have a look at your kitchen sink. If your tenants are not very tidy, this may take some effort. A cleaning liquid, non-scratch scourers, and a spray bottle are some essential tools you’ll need to handle this. Depending on its material, you will need to use the exact method for your sink. Stainless steel is the most common material for sinks.
It is also vital to clean the hob, which can become extremely dirty due to improper use. This will require some elbow grease, but you’ll observe results in a short period. After you’ve completed that, you’ll have to clean the extractor fan filter. This step is not fun, but it’s essential!
Bathroom end-of-tenancy cleaning
Next, you need to clean the bathroom. Many areas in the bathroom need cleaning, and to clean them, you need different equipment.
If you have a shower, the shower head and grouting also need to be fixed. However, you should concentrate your efforts on the sink, the tiles and bathtub in the bathroom, and the toilet.
Other areas for end-of-tenancy cleaning
When performing an end-of-tenancy clean, you should consider several other details. You should also ensure that your windows are cleaned inside and out. If your windows are not accessible, a professional window cleaner will be needed.
Scuff marks on walls should also be washed off. If this doesn’t work, you will have to repaint the walls. However, if you’re painting the walls the same color, it can be possible to cover up stubborn scuffs.
Additionally, curtains should be checked. Most curtains are designed to be dry cleaned, but they can also be machine washed if the label indicates they can. You’ll need to dust and possibly buff the curtain rods as well. Also, don’t forget to vacuum furnishings – if grime or stains are present, you may need to use a dry cleaning method to remove them.
Final words
End-of-tenancy cleaning is a process that needs to be done when someone moves out of their rented property or when they have finished a fixed-term contract. This is because the former tenant cannot leave the property in the same condition as before they moved in. The cleaner will need to remove all traces of dirt and grime from the property so that it can be re-let or sold to another person.
It is important to note that end-of-tenancy cleaning is not just about tidying up the property and ensuring the place looks clean. It also includes ensuring that all appliances and lights are working and all furniture has been moved out.
