[Resolved] End of Lease Cleaning and Inspection

Wimps on 02/07/2018 - 12:25
Last edited 02/07/2018 - 18:40

Hello everyone,

After a year living in an apartment (approx 40sq meters), my girlfriend and I are preparing to move out.
A month ago, we contacted the real estate to inform them, and they answered us a list of things to do before leaving, such as carpet steam cleaning, and a link to their preferred cleaner.

The cleaning company sent us a quote :
- $88 for a carpet steam cleaning
- $350 for a full cleaning (including carpet)

Our question is the following:
Is it worth it to opt for the full cleaning in order to get our full bond back? In other words, does the real estate really care about who did the cleaning, as long as the property is clean?

Our second question concerns the final inspection.
On the vacate mail, nothing was stated about us participating in the final inspection. I did some research and apparently, I can (and I should) ask to be present during this inspection, is it true? (We live in Victoria)

Thank you!

Edit:
Thank you very much for all your messages!
We decided to go for the Full cleaning with the agent's recommended cleaner. After some researches, that seems to be the price when you include oven, fridge, and balcony cleaning extras.
We also realized that cleaning ourselves will be harder since we only have a cheap vacuum and almost no cleaning products.

Home & Garden Cleaning

Comments

  • CLoSeR on 02/07/2018 - 12:32

    Really depends on the agent; previous tenants I'd had seem to opt for professional cleaners at end of lease.

    • Wimps on 02/07/2018 - 12:35

      Do you reckon I should contact our agent and ask her?

      • CLoSeR on 02/07/2018 - 12:39

        You are not obliged to use professional cleaners; it's something I'd pay for though. Saves your back and you get a decent result.

  • reflexline on 02/07/2018 - 12:50
    +4

    It can't be that hard or take that long to clean a 40sqm apartment. I'd just get the carpets cleaned, and do the rest yourself.

  • Skramit on 02/07/2018 - 12:52

    Get the steam cleaning. $88 is pretty reasonable from my experience. DIY by hiring the steam cleaner yourself from bunnings works out cheaper but is a fair hassle.

    $270 for a full clean seems expensive, I'd ring VIP cleaning or one of those big chains, if it's only an apartment it should be ~$100 in my experience. Or just clean the kitchen/bathroom yourself.

    • reflexline on 02/07/2018 - 14:59

      What about using a $25 referral code on AirTasker to get someone to clean the carpets? I'd imagine you could probably get it done for less than $40 after the discount. Just make sure to get a receipt.

  • ausdday on 02/07/2018 - 12:55

    If it's not too dirty, DIY. It's just 40sqm.

    Agents always offer you that option, just to make their life easier. If you DIY, they will have to be picky and do detail inspection. If you opt for professional cleaning, they will most probably take it that the house is "properly" cleaned, so less work for them.

    Yes, you can ask to be present during the final inspection. Otherwise, the agent will provide a list of items he/she is not satisfied with, and you have 14 days to get them cleaned/fixed.

  • thatonethere on 02/07/2018 - 12:58
    +1

    Always recommended to be there for the final inspection. Otherwise stuff like a bit of grease on the extraction fan turns into "please clean the entire kitchen again as it is filthy". Being there means you can generally deal with missed spots etc.

  • Cheaplikethebird on 02/07/2018 - 13:15

    Get the steam clean because it will be in your contract but DIY the rest if it's worth your time. Usually takes a full day or two to clean properly. Once you've cleaned it the agent will usually go through and if there's anything they want cleaned that you've missed they'll let you know.

  • Mikinoz on 02/07/2018 - 13:26

    Go with the $350, if there is a problem they will take it up with the cleaner. Depends how much hassle you want and delay to get your bond back, also if you want a good ref for your next place.

    Had some really bad experiences with dodgy cleaners and its cost more than it was worth just to go with the real estate recommended option.

    Another thing to note, how was the place when you did your inspection, what did you put on the report. Moving out, it should reflect what you put down on the inspection report.

    • RyanMK on 02/07/2018 - 14:27

      This is a good point to take in mind when selecting cleaners.

      In the past, I have always chosen to go ahead with the cleaners the real estate agency usually use. If there is a problem or the agent isn't satisfied with the cleaning, the agent will follow it up with the cleaner directly.

      If you choose to go with your own chosen cleaner and the agent isn't satisfied with the job, the agent will notify you. It is then your responsibility to follow it up with the cleaner. So yeah, it's potentially more of a hassle.

  • trustnoone on 02/07/2018 - 13:30
    +2

    Also if I was you I'd take photos (with time stamp) of the place before you leave, maybe a video of it all. If things go down and you get in trouble for x or y, you at least have a reference to it and can argue it if you remember and can see what it looks like.

  • myusername on 02/07/2018 - 13:37

    are you with ray white?

  • Illian on 02/07/2018 - 14:28

    I would (and have done in the past) go with the full $350 clean, just don't have to worry about it then, and professional cleaners will do a hell of a better job than you can even if you spend two days on it, believe me.

  • jace88 on 02/07/2018 - 14:51

    Price sounds about right if they need to do steam clean. IMO go with real estate agent's cleaner since they can get called back to rectify if not good enough to get your full bond back - and if it's their own cleaner, it's alot easier for them to handle booking logistics. DIY is the worst as if it isn't perfect, you may need to do it again taking up both time and money.

  • Godric on 02/07/2018 - 14:57
    +3

    You don't even 'have to' get the carpets steam cleaned, if it's in same/similar condition you began the lease in

    • jace88 on 03/07/2018 - 09:44

      Some agreements have it in there. Mine did.

      • xylarr on 03/07/2018 - 10:30
        +1

        In NSW, that's an illegal condition and can just be ignored

        • jace88 on 03/07/2018 - 13:16

          I had pets so the clause in the standard tenancy agreement around professional cleaning kicked in. Besides, I made a representation when I signed the lease I would get the carpets steam cleaned and fumigated upon vacating in exchange for them agreeing to allow a dog.

  • cauilfield on 02/07/2018 - 17:31

    Last time I paid $250 for a 2br apartment incl carpet steam cleaning, try Gumtree?

  • [Deactivated] on 02/07/2018 - 17:48

    Depends on how valuable your time is. $350 for a full clean could be worthwhile and I would probably just pay the money and be done with it, especially if the real estate agent recomended them.

  • markathome on 02/07/2018 - 18:02
    +2

    I cleaned my own apartment (but hired steam cleaners). There is no guarantee you will get your full bond back even with the professional cleaners and you can spend the $262 difference on other things. The stress from moving is the moving, cleaning doesn't add a whole lot. Professional cleaners might clean quicker but probably not better than you.

  • HighAndDry on 02/07/2018 - 18:12

    Get the carpets steam-cleaned with the agent's recommended cleaner. Clean the rest of the apartment yourself unless it's absolutely filthy. After just one year though it should be fine.

  • Ocker on 02/07/2018 - 18:30

    To be sure, the agent is going to screw you one way or the other when it comes to returning your bond!

  • Wimps on 02/07/2018 - 18:39
    +1

    Thank you very much for all your messages!
    We decided to go for the Full cleaning with the agent's recommended cleaner. After some researches, that seems to be the price when you include oven, fridge, and balcony cleaning extras.
    We also realized that cleaning ourselves will be harder since we only have a cheap vacuum and almost no cleaning products.

  • funkybamboo on 02/07/2018 - 19:03
    +2

    As per Godric ^^^^……You may want to check if you are legally obliged to do a steam clean on the carpets. I could be wrong but from recollection you only have to do a carpet steam clean if it is written into your lease. I did one in my last place when I moved out but only as I had been there a number of years. Unless the carpet has stains or marks you may want to check this.

    As markathome ^^^, didn't feel the "professional cleaner" did any better than I would have done. I actually gave the place a once over once they were done as there were still marks on the walls and few other things, even though they were listed as being covered in the clean. If it's a sake of saving time and stress, fair enough but don't assume the "professionals" will do a better job.

    If you still want to go ahead discounts for carpet cleans can often be found online…groupon etc.
    Don't rely on Airtasker cleaners or removalists on time sensitive things…had two removalists bail on the day and made my last move a nightmare!

    • jace88 on 03/07/2018 - 09:46

      I can imagine that would be a pain if they bailed. That's why going with the agent's recommended cleaner can be a good choice since they have a relationship/reputation to protect, and also will usually come back to fix things for free on the agent's time (eg after you've moved out).

      Better yet, do the move-out inspection with the cleaner there so they can fix things on the spot.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/07/2018 - 21:47

    I’ve always done my own cleaning and got the full bond back. You don’t need $350 worth of cleaning supplies to clean a small apartment.

    Kind of wondering why you don’t have them already tho? Like, what have you been cleaning with…

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join