Cleaning at the End of Tenancy

1. Cleaning at the End of Tenancy Some of the most common disagreements between landlords and tenants could be easily avoided with a little bit of education. Cleaning at the end of the tenancy is a good example. As long as landlords and tenants both know their responsibilities, things tend to go very smoothly. We want to clear the air by outlining the basics of cleaning at the end of the tenancy. Please be aware that what you read constitutes general guidelines only. Your situation may be different depending on your circumstances as a landlord, letting agent, or tenant. Meeting All Tenancy Requirements It is the tenant's responsibility to adhere to all requirements laid out in the tenancy agreement between him or her and the landlord. Where cleaning is concerned, this usually means returning the unit to what is known as 'move out inventory'. The simplest way to understand this as the tenant is to think of it as returning the unit to the landlord in the same condition you received it. Tenants who tend to be neat throughout their tenancies may be able to get away with broom cleaning. A broom-cleaned unit is one requiring minimal cleaning like sweeping the floors, vacuuming the carpets, etc. A broom clean may not be appropriate for tenants who tend to be on the messy side.

2. Who Actually Performs the Work Landlords are not allowed to require tenants to hire professional cleaners at the end of the tenancy. They can suggest it, but ultimately the tenant has the right to choose who cleans. As a tenant, you might want to save a little money by doing the cleaning yourself. That's a fine decision if you're confident in your own abilities to return the unit to move out inventory. If you don't think you will be able to meet that standard, you might want to consider professional help. Typical Cleaning Requirements Before the tenant starts cleaning, it's a wise idea to contact the landlord and ask for a final inspection checklist. This checklist lays out specifically what the landlord or letting agent will be looking at during checkout. The tenant can then concentrate on those things. Cleaning at the end of tenancy usually involves the following: 1. Kitchen – all cupboards and shelves, floors, sink, fridge, etc. 2. Oven and Cooker – remove all grease build-up, burnt food, crumbs, etc. 3. Living Area – cupboards, cabinets, shelves, floors, and any furniture being left behind. 4. Bathroom – sink, bath, toilet, floor, tiles, etc. 5. Everything Else – as determined by the tenancy agreement, this could include everything from windows to curtains to the garden and exterior spaces. When tenants clean with the goal of returning the property to the landlord in the same condition in which it was found, things tend to go fairly smoothly. If you are a landlord, you need to be reasonable about your expectations. You might want to take a picture of the unit at the start of the tenancy so you can show tenants what you expect at the end.