How Bond Cleaning Affects Your Rental Bond Refund in Canberra

Nothing is more stressful than preparing a rental home for the final inspection at the end of a tenancy. Between packing household belongings, updating a new address and finding a new school for your kid, cleaning often gets overlooked. This is where tenants lose their hard earned bond money. In Canberra, landlords (also known as lessors) are legally entitled to deduct cleaning costs from your deposited security if the property is not in a reasonably clean condition. Meeting the strict standards of landlords should be your topmost priority to pass your rental inspection. For that, a meticulous bond cleaning is necessary.

It is carried out to restore the property to its original state as it was at the start of a tenancy. The aim is to remove stains, grime, grease, gunk and germs from all rooms, important spots and hard to reach areas within the premises to impress a fussy landlord. According to the Rental Laws in the ACT, tenants are held responsible for returning the property in a clean state, excluding normal wear and tear. Failing to do so can affect your rental bond refund.

That’s one of the reasons why tenants prefer hiring end of lease cleaning Canberra Professionals to a seamless move out experience. In this guide, we’ll unveil how bond cleaning affects your rental bond refund in Canberra and how to get it back without any hassle. Ensure you carefully read your rental agreement to understand your roles and responsibilities as a tenant to avoid disputes and unnecessary bond deductions.

1. What is a Rental Bond in Canberra, ACT?

You are asked to pay a bond when renting a residential property in Canberra. A bond is a form of financial security that ensures tenants fulfill their obligations under a Residential Tenancy Agreement. A landlord has a right to withhold a part of your bond money to cover cleaning costs or repair expenses if the property is not returned in a reasonable condition.

The amount of the rental bond is equivalent to four weeks’ rent. After receiving bond money from a tenant, landlords are required to lodge it with the Rental Bonds Office. If you are a tenant and moving into a rental property for the first time, ensure you read your agreement carefully before paying your rental bond or signing the agreement. Upon payment, you will be given a receipt as proof. This money will be refunded at the end of your tenancy when you pass your rental inspection.

Tip: You should always know the difference between domestic cleaning vs. end of lease cleaning to understand your outlined cleaning requirements.

2. Understanding Bond Cleaning and Its Purpose

Bond cleaning is also known as end of lease cleaning. It is the process of sprucing up the entire residential leased property according to the pre approved checklist. It covers every nook and cranny of the premises, eliminating accumulated dust from ceiling fans, grease from kitchen appliances, grime from windows, soap scum from bathroom fixtures and fittings and germs from frequently touched areas. The purpose is to return the rental home to its original state for a new occupant.  Tenants can hire end of lease cleaning Canberra professionals to pass the final rental inspection and secure your full bond without any dispute or disagreement.

3. How Bond Cleaning Affects Your Rental Bond Refund?

There is no denying that a thorough bond cleaning in Canberra increases the chances of securing the full bond money. Here are key reasons on how it affects your bond return at the end of your tenancy:

Fulfilling Tenant’s Cleaning Obligations:

Under the Tenancy Laws in ACT, renters are legally obligated to leave the property in the same condition as it was at the start of a tenancy. A rental agreement outlines your specific cleaning responsibilities throughout and at the end of a lease. Leaving a property spotless and shining can leave a great impression on your landlord and help you reclaim the full security deposit. With meticulous bond cleaning, you can cover every nook and cranny, including kitchen appliances, under heavy furniture pieces and grout lines. This can leave a great impression on your landlord and help you pass the rental inspection with ease.

Safegaurding Landlord’s Interests:

Bond cleaning can restore the premises to their original state, which directly protects the landlord’s interest. A detailed cleaning reduces disputes while preserving the intact appeal and value of the property for future occupants.

Reduced Bond Conflicts:

According to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal or ACAT, cleaning related issues are one of the common reasons behind bond deductions. A professional end of lease cleaning can help you pass the inspection and get full bond back. Hiring seasoned professionals can increase the chances as they follow a pre approved checklist to clean and disinfect almost all surfaces without missing out on important spots.

Preventing Deductions:

A thorough cleaning at the end of a tenancy, according to the checklist, can prevent unnecessary bond deductions and penalties. Landlords can’t unfairly make deductions, especially for minor cleaning issues and normal wear and tear. Ensure you refer to the property condition report and use it as evidence in case of any dispute.

Positive Rental History:

Believe it or not! Leaving a property in clean and hygienic conditions can impress your landlord and build a positive rental history for future tenancies.

4. What Landlords Look for During the Rental Inspection

When a tenant vacates the property, the landlord strictly inspects the property and fills the condition report in detail (which was signed at the beginning of a tenancy by both parties). It is a document used to compare the condition of the property. They focus on:

• Kitchen surfaces:Degrease your cabinets, remove stains from the oven, microwave, refrigerator, range hood, stovetop, sink, and faucets. Ensure you wipe down the counters and deodorise the garbage disposal.
• Bathroom fixtures and Fittings:Landlords thoroughly inspect shower areas, toilets, bathtub, grout, counter and mirrors. Remove limescale, soap scum and grime using white vinegar and other natural products.
• Living Areas:Remove dust and cobwebs from vents, ceiling fans, mouldings, shelves, light fixtures, fittings, blinds, etc. Clean the baseboards and cleaning carpeted floors
• Windows and Doors: Deep clean windows inside and outside, including tracks and sills. Clean the door tracks.
• Sweep and mop the floors.
• Outdoor Areas:Landlords also inspect the garage floors and walls, patio area and driveway.
• Important Areas:This includes skirting boards, underneath appliances, blinds, curtains, and other hard to reach spots.

5. How Professional Bond Cleaning Can Secure Bond Money?

An expert end of lease cleaning Canberra service comes with a bond back guarantee. This means if the landlord is not happy with the cleanliness standard, the cleaners will return to reclean the missed areas at no extra cost.

Plus, professionals strictly adhere to a pre-approved cleaning checklist and understand the specific requirements of real estate agents. They leave no stone unturned to help you secure full bond back without any dispute or disagreement. Ensure you do thorough research to find trustworthy cleaners in your area for your peace of mind.

Infographics: Why Bond Cleaning is Necessary for Full Bond Refund in Canberra

Wrapping Up

Bond cleaning is beyond routine cleaning. It directly affects whether you get your full bond back. Tenants in Canberra should understand their rights, responsibilities and duties related to cleaning obligations to prevent unnecessary deductions and disputes. Hopefully, this guide will help you pass the rental inspection seamlessly.