Hidden Areas Often Missed During End of Tenancy Cleaning
End of tenancy cleaning is not your average chore. It affects both the tenants and the landlords. As a tenant, you want your security deposit back – but you can only get it if you return the property in a condition that meets or exceeds the initial state documented at the start of the lease. A thorough clean can significantly boost your chances. For the landlord, your goal is to protect the property’s appeal to potential new tenants in order to reduce vacancy periods. That won’t be the case if the residence is left in a dilapidated state. Meeting cleaning standards is necessary fulfilling legal and contractual obligations that could otherwise lead to disputes. Some areas are often overlooked, causing problems down the road. Let’s look at them.
- Kitchen
Over time, areas behind the fridge and oven can accumulate significant amounts of debris and grime. Pulling them out lets you access the spaces they occupy. The interiors need to be catered to as well, from shelves to oven racks.
Cabinets, especially those above eye level, are notorious for gathering dust and grease, particularly in areas out of regular sight. During your end of tenancy cleaning, it’s important to clean both the inside and the exterior of all cupboards and drawers. Don’t forget to address the top of the cabinets—a horizontal surface prone to collecting dust unseen from below.
- Bathroom
Grout and tile crevices, especially in damp bathroom environments, are prone to developing stubborn mold and mildew. These areas require detailed scrubbing using appropriate cleaning solutions that can penetrate these porous surfaces effectively. It’s not just the aesthetic appeal that is on the line; leaving moisture and mildew unaddressed can lead to long-term damage and health issues.
Dirt and grime can accumulate behind toilets and under sinks. And these are some spots that – you’re guaranteed will be looked at during the final property inspection.
- Living Areas and Bedrooms
One of the key areas that often get overlooked is under and behind furniture. Whether it’s a heavy bed or a cumbersome sofa, dirt and dust can accumulate unnoticed for months. Furniture sets need to be moved and the area underneath them cleaned. Additionally, ensure you check behind doors and in the corners of rooms where dust and spider webs can gather.
- Window Areas
Windows seem to have a knack for getting dirty. First off, there’s the usual dust and dirt carried by the wind, which settles on the glass over time. Then, there are the fingerprints and smudges. These are especially common if you’ve got little ones or pets pressing their noses and hands against the glass to peek outside.
Raindrops can also leave their mark as well, especially if the water in your area is hard. Evaporating rain water behind minerals that form little spots and streaks on the glass. With birds around, there’s the issue of them making your window as a target – even right after you’ve cleaned it! It’s annoying. For the window tracks, they gather dust, dirt and even insects over time. In extreme cases, it becomes difficult to open or shut the window. Moisture collecting in these nooks on the other hand leads to rust forming on the meta tracks.
As for the sills, they bear the brunt of whatever the weather throws at them. Rain splashing dirt onto the sills, and if there are trees nearby, a mix of leaves, sap, and pollen is added to the muck depending on the season. Should the water sit on the sills for too long, then wood rot or mold growth becomes a problem.
- Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans
Light fixtures and ceiling fans are notorious for accumulating dust. Since they are usually out of regular sight and reach, they often miss a regular wipe-down. For light fixtures, it’s important to use a secure stepladder to reach them safely. A damp cloth can be used to gently wipe down both the fixtures and the bulbs to ensure they are free of dust. For ceiling fans, using a pillowcase can be a handy trick to clean the blades; it captures the dust as you wipe, preventing it from falling onto furniture or the floor.
- Baseboards and Edges
Less trafficked areas are still susceptible to dirt accumulating on them. Run a damp cloth or a microfiber mop along the edges and baseboards to remove any buildup. In some cases, a small amount of household cleaner can be used to tackle more stubborn marks or scuffs, ensuring that these areas look well-maintained and clean.
Wind whips up dust, pollen, and sometimes even sand, depositing them right onto your balcony. When it rains, instead of cleaning these away, the water often mixes with the dirt to create splotches and muddy patches, especially in corners and under furniture where it’s harder to clean regularly. Then there’s the city life factor—if you’re living in an urban area, air pollution can leave a film of grime on surfaces. This is particularly noticeable on glass parts like balcony railings or doors. And, of course, during the warmer months, birds and insects find their way onto your balcony, leaving behind their own marks.
Moving on to storage areas and garages, these often end up as the last resting places for things we no longer use. Kick off by sorting through these spaces, getting rid of or donating what you don’t need. Give the floors a good sweep, and if needed, pull out the vacuum to tackle dust and cobwebs. Arrange what you keep in an orderly fashion to make the most of your space and keep it looking neat.
Check and double-check the property before inspection day. This should include smoke alarms, ensuring all appliances are clean and in working order, and looking for any signs of damage or wear. Also, make sure to remove any rubbish, check that all fixtures are intact, and that the property is free from dust and cobwebs.