Cleaning Checklist for a Rental Property (Downloadable PDF)

The level of cleanliness of a rental property is crucial for both landlord and tenant. As a landlord, ensuring your home is in top-top condition at the start of the rental period will help ensure this is the state the property is returned in. A beautifully prepared and presented home will also often achieve higher rental return and a greater number of high-quality applicants. 

When a tenant is vacating a property at the end of their term, the condition of the home is required to be similar to the condition it was provided in at the start of the term - as documented on the ingoing condition report and accompanying photos. If not, the rental bond paid at the start of the tenancy can be withheld to recover costs of cleaning and repairs which may be required to return the property to its previous condition. 

So, how can a landlord be sure that their investment property is as clean as it can be before a tenant moves in? And how can a tenant ensure they have covered everything when cleaning the home at the end of their lease term? Our detailed and downloadable cleaning checklist will help!

RENTAL PROPERTY CLEANING CHECKLIST

Download the checklist

General cleaning throughout the home (all rooms)

• Remove any marks from walls, doors, ceilings and all switches. Fingerprints and/or hand marks can often remain in certain light if not cleaned thoroughly
• Clean all light fittings, ensuring any insects are removed from inside and that the outside is free of marks, grease and dust. Be careful when removing light fittings, as some can be difficult to remove if not touched in some time
• Clean and remove dust from all ceiling fans
• Clean curtains and blinds, ensuring they are returned to the same condition as indicated on the ingoing condition report
• Clean and remove dust from all skirting boards, window sills, tops of doors, and above cupboards
• Vacuum clean all window tracks and sliding door tracks to remove dust and insects
• Sweep or mop all non-carpeted floors, ensuring no marks or stains (including drying marks) remain
• Ensure carpet is professionally cleaned, allowing for fair wear and tear 
• Ensure cleaning is completed behind and underneath all furniture
• Ensure all wardrobes, drawers, shelves, and cupboards are clean
• Clean all mirrors and ensure they are free from streaks
• Remove cobwebs and any marks left by insects
• Clean all air conditioners and filters

Kitchen cleaning

• Clean all cupboards and doors inside and out, ensuring no stains or crumbs remain
• Clean the stove top, being sure no stains or burn marks remain around heating elements
• Clean oven glass inside and out, removing any marks or spatters
• Clean inside and outside of the oven and griller, including racks and trays
• Ensure the walls and floor around refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave areas are clean
• Clean tapware, sink, drains and plugs
• Clean the range hood body and remove and clean the filter
• Remove dust and greasy build up on exhaust fans

Bathroom cleaning

• Clean the toilet/s
• Clean the bath
• Clean the basin and all tapware
• Clean the shower recess
• Ensure no hair or soap build up remains in shower or bath drains
• Remove built up soap scum and any signs of mould on tiles and shower screens
• Bleach clean shower curtain or replace if required
• Ensure towel racks are clean
• As with other rooms, ensure walls, floors, mirrors, windows, window tracks, cupboards and drawers are cleaned thoroughly

Laundry cleaning

• Ensure the washing machine is free of marks and detergent
• Clean behind and around the washing machine space
• Remove lint from the dryer
• Clean behind and around the dryer space
• Clean the laundry tub and cabinet
• Ensure all tapware is clean
• As with other rooms, ensure walls, floors, windows, window tracks, and any cupboards are cleaned thoroughly

Outdoor areas, verandah and deck cleaning

• Remove all cobwebs and any marks left by insects
• Sweep and/or mop
• Clean all railings and glass

Lawns and gardens

• Ensure the lawn is neatly mown and all edges are trimmed
• Ensure any weeds are removed from all gardens
• If there is a pool, ensure the pool is returned to the condition indicated on the ingoing condition report

Driveway, garage and carport cleaning

• Sweep the area 
• Remove webs and any marks left by insects
• Remove any oil drips from garage floor, path and/or driveway, ensuring returned to the condition noted on the ingoing condition report

Garbage removal

• Ensure general rubbish is placed in council bins provided
• Larger or non-general waste to be removed from the property
• If vacating prior to the next garbage collection, ensure the bins are placed road-side for the next collection​

Furnished properties

• Ensure all inclusions noted on the inventory list at the commencement of the lease are returned to their original location 

Cleaning after pets

• Ensure all pet mess is removed from lawns
• Remove any pet toys and debris from the yard
• Ensure condition of the yard is returned to its original condition
• Ensure hair is removed from security screens
• Ensure sliding doors are thoroughly cleaned of hair and marks
• Hair and oils from pets can discolour concrete such as on alfresco / patio areas - ensure any such marks are removed, pressure cleaning if required
• Ensure there are no marks or hair on walls or curtains
• Refer to your lease regarding your requirements around professionally cleaning carpet and/or fumigating for fleas
• Consider whether a deodoriser may be required
• Ensure the property receives plenty of natural ventilation prior to vacating​

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Landlords - carefully select your cleaner

Many times we have been disappointed with the results achieved by a landlord selecting a low-cost cleaner. An "end of lease clean" which includes carpet clean and general clean of the property for around $300 is simply not realistic and will not achieved the desired result for you or your tenant. 

At times, a budget cleaning service may seem appealing as they may offer to return if you are not satisfied. However, if the job wasn't done well enough the first time, there is little likelihood the result after a second attempt will be much better. 

We won't lease a property to a tenant unless it is appropriately clean. Delays in having a property satisfactorily clean can cost you more in the long run, due to a continued period of the property remaining vacant and not generating rental income. We can provide a recommendation of a professional cleaning service for your property if desired.

Download the checklist

Questions? Contact Us