Top 10 Questions Tenants Ask About Bond Cleaning

Did you know that around 2/3 of renters in Australia face bond deductions every year? One of the most common reasons behind bond deductions and disputes is over cleaning costs, outstanding rents or bills and repair costs. This makes them even more cautious about what they do and how they do it to pass the final rental inspection, especially when it comes to bond cleaning.

It is one of the most essential undertakings that can determine the fate of your hard earned rental bond (which is equal to four weeks’ rent). To pass your final inspection, tenants must meet the cleaning standards set by landlords or real estate agents. This directly raises potential concerns and doubts related to bond cleaning, inclusions & exclusions, legal obligations and other aspects. Fret not! In this guide, we’ve answered the top 10 questions tenants ask about a thorough bond cleaning in Sunshine Coast, QLD. Whether hiring professionals or carrying out the session yourself, this guide will help you make an informed decision for your rental bond money.

Let’s Get Started!

1. What Does Bond Cleaning Mean?

Bond cleaning is carried out when a tenant/renter is moving out of a rental property. The ultimate objective is to return the property to the same condition it was in when the tenant first moved in.

According to the Residential Rental Laws in QLD, landlords or property managers have the right to deduct money from your bond to cover cleaning costs in case you hand over the property in a dirty condition. That’s why tenants hire experts for a budget bond cleaning Sunshine Coast because it is beyond basic dusting, mopping and vacuuming. It is more detailed and requires every nook and cranny to be in a spotless condition. From ceiling fans and vents to light fixtures and windows, oven interiors to bathroom fixtures, every surface of your rental property should be in a clean state to impress your fussy landlord.

2. Is there a legal requirement for bond cleaning in the Sunshine Coast?

Under the RTA Queensland, tenants/renters are held responsible for leaving the property in a ‘reasonably clean’ condition, beyond fair wear and tear. It should be in a similar state when you moved in at the beginning of your lease.

It is important to refer to your entry condition report to compare the current condition and clean accordingly.

Note: Tenants are not responsible for pre existing damage.

3. Who is responsible for a thorough bond cleaning, the tenant or the landlord?

A lease or tenancy agreement, which is a legal binding agreement between a landlord and a tenant, clearly outlines the specific rights, duties and responsibilities of both parties. According to the agreement and residential tenancy laws, tenants are required to perform a bond cleaning before moving out of a rental property. Even landlords include specific cleaning clauses, such as steam carpet cleaning, mould removal, etc. Ensure you meet these standards to avoid bond deductions and rental disputes.

Thus, landlords conduct a strict inspection and can hold back a part of bond money due to half baked cleaning. They can use that money to cover cleaning costs because they are responsible for ensuring a property is tidy and habitable when a new occupant moves in.

4. What is covered in a standard bond clean?

A pre approved bond cleaning checklist includes:

• General cleaning: Removing cobwebs and dust from ceiling fans, air vents, walls, mouldings, light fixtures & fittings, shelves, picture frames, windows(inside and outside if accessible), blinds & curtains, skirting boards, door tracks, and baseboards.
• Spot cleaning of walls
• Kitchen: De greasing kitchen cabinets and cupboards, cleaning kitchen appliances, such as oven, microwave, and refrigerator, cupboards, stovetop, range hood and filters, sinks, and faucets.
• Bathrooms: Removing soap scum and hard water stains from showerheads and screens, glass doors, walls and grout lines, bathtubs, toilets and behind the rim area, counters and sink, towel rails.
• Carpets and Floors: Vacuum the carpets and sweep and mop the floors
• Outdoor Areas: Clean the garage walls and floors. Pay attention to the patio area as well.

5. Do I need to hire a professional cleaner or do it myself?

While hiring a professional cleaning company is not mandatory, it can increase the chance of your bond refund without any dispute. They come fully equipped with all the necessary tools and products to tackle accumulated dust, grime, grease and stains from almost all surfaces. They leave no signs of dirt behind. Whether it’s about washing windows or dusting ceiling fans, they can do it with perfection while saving you time and money.

The best part is that a reliable company offers a guaranteed bond cleaning Sunshine Coast service. They provide you with a bond back guarantee and a free re clean for a specified time in case the landlord is not happy with the cleaning job. With their assistance, you can surely pass your rental and secure the full bond money.

On the contrary, a DIY bond cleaning session can be risky. You may leave important spots dirty, which may cause damage to the delicate surface due to a lack of expertise. So, it is best to leave this task to professionals and stay relaxed throughout the process.

6. How much does a bond cleaning cost in Sunshine Coast?

This completely depends on the type and condition of the property. An overlooked property or a large one takes a longer time, which can automatically increase its final pricing.

Moreover, the property size, additional cleaning requests and other factors can also affect the pricing. It is good to ask the company to provide you with an upfront estimate after evaluating the size and condition of your rental home, along with additional requests.

7. How Long Does Bond Cleaning Take?

The time may vary depending on the property size and condition. Professional cleaners usually take two to four hours for 2 bedroom apartment and minimum 8 hours for 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom unit. However, there is no defined timeline for a thorough end of lease cleaning.

8. Is it necessary to steam clean the carpet for bond return?

Many landlords clearly mention in the lease agreement that they want carpets in a professionally cleaned condition at the end of a tenancy. So, it is good to thoroughly review your lease agreement, especially cleaning clauses that specify professional carpet cleaning. Failing to do so (if already mentioned) may lead to bond deductions.

9. What happens if a property manager isn’t happy with the cleaning?

Landlords usually set high cleaning standards and may withhold your bond money if they find missed spots, such as streaks on window frames, grime on the showerhead, etc. Since you are not responsible for pre existing damage or condition, ensure you refer to the property condition report and fix the issues to pass your rental inspection. You can also ask the company to re clean the dirty areas at a free of cost to impress your landlord.

If the landlord has made unfair bond deductions, you can dispute the claim via the Residential Tenancies Authority. You can also proceed to QCAT with all necessary evidence (photos and videos of the property) to support your claim and secure the full bond money.

10. How to find the best bond cleaning service?

Start by asking your friends and neighbours who have recently hired a professional cleaning or bond cleaning service in the Sunshine Coast. You can also consider online reviews and testimonials, compare quotes and ask questions before making the final decision. Ensure the company offers a bond return guarantee. Also, look for seasoned cleaners who work according to the pre approved checklist and offer transparent pricing policy.

Infographic: Tenant FAQs on Bond Cleaning

Wrapping Up

Asking questions always brings clarity to mind, especially when preparing your rented property for the final inspection. Answering these questions can help tenants to make the right decision and carry out bond cleaning without any stress or distraction.