Bond Cleaning Myths Tenants Still Believe

A meticulously clean and well maintained rental home can feel gliding through the final rental inspection with confidence. In Queensland, the residential tenancy laws clearly mandate that rental properties must be returned in a reasonably clean condition beyond normal wear and tear. This means substandard cleaning could lead to costly penalties, bond deductions and even awful disputes.

Despite its importance, tenants fall for common bond cleaning myths and misconceptions. The fear of losing hard earned bond money pushes them to blindly follow even the false assumptions they find on the internet. This can ruin the entire move out experience, affecting their future rental prospects. If you don’t want to end your tenancy on a bad note, then it is high time to uncover the real facts behind the cloudy claims and pass your rental inspection.

Worry not! In this guide, we debunk the most common bond cleaning myths tenants still believe to help streamline the process. It will also help find the best and most reliable professionals for a top quality bond cleaning Sunshine Coast. Ensure you read your lease agreement carefully to prevent unfair bond deductions.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Myth: Bond Cleaning is the Same as Regular House Cleaning

Most tenants in Queensland lose their bond because of this misconception. End of lease or bond cleaning is completely different from routine housekeeping sessions. It is more detailed, customised and high level cleaning, conducted to meet the landlord’s strict cleanliness standards. This includes thorough dusting, scrubbing, vacuuming and disinfecting of all nooks and crannies of the property.

On the other hand, routine cleaning removes visible dirt and grime from surfaces to maintain a healthy indoor environment. There is no pre determined cleaning checklist or set standards by landlord. Make sure you understand the difference between bond clean vs deep clean, and follow a proper checklist to secure your bond money when moving out of a rental property.

2. Myth: DIY Cleaning Can Achieve Professional Grade Results

Those who believe that performing a DIY cleaning with a couple of basic supplies can help pass the rental inspection are in a delusional world. When you clean the property yourself, the risk of missing dirt and grime is high. Plus, without the right strategies and tools, you may even damage delicate surfaces, leading to costly repairs and bond deductions.

If you want to impress your landlord, book experts for a guaranteed bond cleaning Sunshine Coast. They come fully equipped with all the necessary cleaning tools and products to banish accumulated dust, dirt, grime and grease with perfection. Professionals thoroughly review the entry condition report and outline specific cleaning clauses when creating a customised cleaning checklist to meet real estate agents’ set standards.

Tip: If you are running under a financial crunch, do your research to find an affordable end of lease cleaning service for your peace of mind.

3. Myth: Bond Cleaning is all About Surface Level Cleaning

There is no denying that surface level cleaning is crucial but you won’t pass the final rental inspection if you leave nooks and crannies untouched. Property managers check important spots, hard to reach areas and everything that may decide the fate of your bond return. They expect the property to be as clean as it was at the start of the tenancy. So, it is important to clean the following surfaces deep:

• Air vents and high ceilings
• Light fixtures and fittings
• Walls, crown mouldings and skirting boards
• Drawers and cabinets, inside and outside
• Window sills, door tracks and blinds
• Tiles and grout lines
• Tapware and the area around it
• Rangehood filters
• Garbage disposal
• Showerheads, toilet seat and towel rails

Tip: Always clean top to bottom to cover every inch of the premises without leaving dirt behind. You can use microfibre cloths, old toothbrushes and the crevice tool of a vacuum cleaner for dislodging dust and grease from tight spaces.

4. Myth: Only Use Expensive Store Bought Cleaners For Spotless Shine

Traditional cleaning products, such as degreasers, rust removers, disinfectants, etc, may accelerate your cleaning process, but they contain hazardous chemicals and Volatile Organic Compounds. Using such products not only causes indoor air pollution but also leads to various health hazards, such as respiratory disorders, asthma triggers, skin allergies, etc.

Fortunately, you can attain spotless results using chemical free products available in your kitchen pantry. You can use distilled white vinegar as a multipurpose cleaning, baking soda as de grease, hydrogen peroxide for mould stains, dish soap, lemon castile soap, etc, to restore the property to its original shine. These products do not contain ammonia or other harsh chemicals, which is why professional cleaners use them to create a healthy, hygienic indoor environment.

5. Myth: Skip Carpets if They Look Clean

No matter how spotless your delicate floor coverings look, they need detailed cleaning before the rental inspection. While vacuum cleaning can help remove embedded dust, dirt and loose debris, steam carpet cleaning becomes essential if you have pets. Ensure you read your cleaning clauses related to carpets and restore the shine of your carpets. You can include carpet cleaning in your bond cleaning Sunshine Coast package as an added service to pass your rental inspection.

6. Myth: “Agents Won’t Check Inside the Oven”

Believe it or not! An oven is one of the first things landlords check. They are strict when inspecting kitchen appliances and check the racks, interior walls, crannies, doors, etc., before releasing your bond. It is because leftover grime, burnt food particles and buildup grease are the breeding ground for harmful germs and bacteria, leading to foodborne illness. Since landlords are obligated to provide a habitable and livable property to new occupants, they may deduct your bond to cover professional oven cleaning fees. If you want your bond back, deep clean your oven inside and outside. Remove the racks, apply baking soda inside the appliance, and clean the door handles and control panels for spotless results.

7. Myth: Exterior Areas Don’t Matter

Property managers or agents in QLD leave no stone unturned when inspecting patio areas, driveways, lawns, exterior windows, and garage walls. So, do not skip outdoor areas as these elevate the curb appeal of your rental property. Also, remove green waste, such as fallen dry leaves, before the rental inspection.

For driveways and concrete floors, use a pressure washing machine or hire experts for the same.

8. Myth: Professional Cleaning Ensures Full Bond Return

There is no denying that a professional and detailed bond cleaning increases the chances of bond retrieval, but there are other factors as well that determine the outcome of rental inspection. Landlords may holdback your hard earned bond if you breach your rental agreement apart from substandard cleaning. This includes:

• Causing damage to the property if they are beyond wear and tear
• Pest infestations
• Outstanding rent or utility bills
• Not returning keys
• Notifying landlords at the last moment about the final move out

Know your roles and duties as a tenant when moving out of your rental property to avoid deductions.

9. Myth: Bond Cleaning Includes Repairs

Many tenants still believe that cleaning professionals also fix damages before the final property inspection. However, the reality is that they just clean dirt laden rooms and surfaces. This is one of the common reasons behind bond deductions.  If the property is damaged beyond normal wear and tear, such as broken doors, major scuff marks, leaking taps, etc., seek your landlord’s permission and fix it before the arrival of the cleaning experts.

Tip: Compare your entry condition report with the current condition because you are not liable for existing damages. This will help you claim the full bond with ease.

10. Myth: You Can Do Bond Cleaning at the Last Moment

Juggling tasks like packing household belongings, preparing your new rental and moving large furniture makes move out journey stressful. So, it would be difficult to manage time for end of lease cleaning. The risk of missing important spots increases when you do it in a hurry. So, it is always good to plan your cleaning session, hire the best bond cleaners Sunshine Coast in advance to prevent last minute chaos.

Infographic: Debunking Common Bond Cleaning Misconceptions

Wrapping Up

These are some of the most common bond cleaning misconceptions tenants still believe. Debunk them with tried and tested facts to streamline the move out process and secure the full bond without any dispute or disagreement.