Are you moving out of your rental property soon and need to ensure that everything is cleaned to a high standard? Hiring a professional end of tenancy cleaning company may not be mandatory, but it definitely helps to take the stress out of the process and get your deposit back in full. But how can you prepare for this service to enjoy the best results possible? Follow our expert tips to make sure your property is left in tip-top condition and your landlord or letting agency is satisfied.

Read also: Why hiring professional end of tenancy cleaners is worth your money? (according to Redditors)

It’s best to schedule the move-out cleaning the day before the final inspection so that the professionals have enough time to clean the property thoroughly.

Step-by-step planning before the cleaners’ visit

When it comes to moving out and preparing for end of lease cleaning, it’s essential to have a clear plan of what needs to be done and when. Careful planning will help you avoid stress, save time, and ensure the best possible cleaning results. Here are some things you should arrange before you hire professional end of tenancy cleaners:

Renovations & repairs

In most cases, rental properties require some repairs and touch-ups before they can be deemed inspection-ready. Even the smallest renovations can create a mess that will need to be cleaned up afterwards. Therefore, it is crucial to complete all repairs before the move-out cleaners arrive to ensure that they can do an outstanding job.

Select the best time for the service

We recommend setting a date for end of tenancy cleaning that is at least 3-4 days before handling the property’s keys. This will allow enough time for the landlord to inspect the property. If any areas do not meet their satisfaction, cleaners can be called back to take care of them.

Choose the right cleaners

Before hiring end of lease cleaners, it’s essential to do some research to ensure that you choose a reputable business. Look for a company with experience in move out cleaning services, and make sure that their teams are vetted, bonded, and insured. Additionally, the cleaners should provide a guarantee for their work and clear information on how their service works. For example, we are offering a 72-hour cleaning guarantee – this means, that if any areas are missed by our team, you can contact us within 72 hours and we will provide a free re-cleaning. Lastly, it’s worth checking previous customer reviews to ensure the company has a good track record. A solid reputation is the best indicator of a company’s quality of work.

Check also: How to Choose Reliable Cleaners When Moving Out of Your Rental?

Arrange a parking spot nearby

It’s important to provide a parking spot near the property for the end of lease cleaning company. If no parking is available, your appointment may need to be cancelled. The cleaners usually bring a lot of heavy equipment in their vehicle, and sometimes, they must make a few trips to bring everything in. Therefore, the parking should be no more than a couple of minutes walking distance away.

Don’t be afraid to ask the cleaners for details regarding the service in advance. Image by pvproductions on Freepik

Communication with the End of Tenancy Cleaners

The key to achieving the best cleaning results is clear communication before the service. Here are some important topics to discuss with your cleaners beforehand:

Give a detailed description of the rental

Many of our competitors claim that end of tenancy cleaning takes 2 to 4 hours. However, this is not always the case for every property. The time required for the cleaning service depends on various factors, such as the property’s size and state and whether furniture and carpets are present. Therefore, we recommend that you provide as much detail as possible to your cleaners when booking the service. This information will help them to give you a more accurate estimate for the duration of the move-out cleaning and the corresponding price.

Read also: How long does an end of tenancy clean take?

List problematic items & areas

It’s crucial to communicate any areas that require more attention when booking an end of lease cleaning service. Don’t hesitate to share your concerns; this will allow your move-out cleaners to address them accordingly.

Ask for combined deals

End of tenancy cleaning does not include furniture and carpet cleaning. If you require your sofas and rugs to be cleaned before you hand over the keys to the property, inform your cleaner. These additional services can be arranged for a date different from the move-out cleaning, but it will cost you more. To avoid any extra costs, we recommend that you book all the services at the same time. Make sure to inquire about the company’s deals and offers when you arrange the end of lease cleaning. This way, you can get everything done together and receive a substantial discount on the final price.

Make sure all your personal belongings are neatly packed before the end of tenancy cleaners arrive. Image by Drazen Zigic on Freepik

Preparing the property for the end of tenancy cleaning

Once you’ve chosen a move-out cleaning company and scheduled a date, the next step is to prepare the location. We advise our clients to follow these steps to achieve the best possible results from their end-of-tenancy cleaning:

Pack and move away personal belongings

For the best cleaning results and a higher chance of getting your full deposit back, it’s important to leave your rental free from personal belongings. Try to move as many items from the property as possible before the cleaning day. If you can’t relocate everything, pack your personal items and furniture neatly in boxes, bags or containers and place them in just one area. Double-check that the cabinets, drawers, and wardrobes are empty. All furniture in the rental should be free from personal items and luggage so the cleaners can clean them inside and out.

Check also:

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Provide easy access to all the areas in the rental

Before the cleaning professionals arrive, remove any furnishings and large items preventing access to the property. Check for any luggage blocking the entrances, heavy objects on the carpet, or curtains blocking the windowsills, and ensure that nothing could prevent the professionals from reaching the necessary spots.

Consider how to approach cleaning the window treatments

Dirty curtains and shabby blinds can overshadow even the cleanest space. Here’s how to freshen up the rental’s window treatments:

  • Curtains and drapes

It’s possible for some companies, including ours, to clean thick drapes using professional equipment as part of your end of tenancy cleaning. However, if the curtains in the property are thin, such as lace-like curtains, it’s best to check their care tags and give them to dry cleaners. It is not an expensive option, and you can rest assured that you will get the curtains cleaned, ironed and fresh-smelling.

  • Blinds

It is essential to clean hard blinds properly, especially if they are located in the kitchen or if you are a smoker. While professional cleaners can wipe away the dust, cooking and cigarette fumes can leave a stubborn layer of dirt on their surface, requiring deeper cleaning. To tackle this issue, take the blinds off the windows, spray them with a degreaser, and let the product soak for an hour. After that, rinse them in your shower and leave them to dry completely before hanging them back up. This method will help you remove the buildup of dirt and keep your blinds clean.

If you are dealing with textile blinds, it’s advisable to check their label to determine the best way to clean them. If the care tag is missing, you can consult a professional dry cleaner to see if they can help you clean the fabric window treatments.

Read also: The Most Important Things You Should Know Before You Do an End of Tenancy Cleaning

Make sure to empty and turn off your fridge before the move out cleaning. Freepik

Turn off the fridge and freezer

Professional cleaners will happily clean the fridge and freezer in the rental property as part of the move out cleaning service. However, it’s important to turn them off at least 24 hours before the end of the tenancy cleaning appointment. Additionally, remember to remove any food from these appliances, otherwise, the cleaners won’t clean them.

Leave the water heater on

Make sure to turn on your boiler a few hours before the end of tenancy cleaning crew arrives. Cleaners need hot water to clean more efficiently, even when using professional cleaning products.

Don’t leave behind anything that doesn’t belong in the property

You may think it’s a good idea to leave behind furniture or decoration as a gift for the next tenants, but most landlords don’t appreciate it. In fact, they may even consider it clutter and deduct some of your deposit as a result. The same goes for cleaning products. Professional end-of-tenancy cleaners use their own equipment and products and will dispose of anything you’ve left behind.

Secure fragile items

Accidents are unfortunate, but we can take steps to prevent them. If any items could be damaged it’s a good idea to store them away. It doesn’t matter if the fragile items are yours or belong to your landlord – better safe than sorry. If that’s not possible, it’s essential to inform the move out cleaning team so they can take extra care.

Read also: Differences Between End of Tenancy and Domestic Cleaning

Relocate your pets before the cleaning

When you’re preparing to move out, it’s important to ensure that your pets are in a safe location away from all the cleaning activity. This helps to keep them away from any harsh detergents that may be used during the cleaning process and provides them with a calm and peaceful environment away from all the commotion. Additionally, it allows the cleaners to focus on their job without interruptions, ensuring everything is cleaned thoroughly. Ultimately, it’s a safer and more convenient solution for everyone involved, including your pets!

You can easily see if the cleaners have done everything they promised by going through the provided cleaning checklist. Image by drobotdean on Freepik

After the cleaning

Not that you now know how to prepare the property before an end of lease cleaning, but what about after? Well, reliable professionals have detailed end of tenancy checklists, so use them to your advantage! Before the service, it will help you understand the cleaning process better and know what to expect. And after the cleaners are ready you will be able to see for yourself if everything was taken care of! Carefully look around; if you have any comments or objections, you can discuss them with the cleaners. Last but not least, after the landlord inspects the property, you can still contact your move out cleaning company for a do-over if necessary.

See also: The Ultimate Cleaning Checklist When Moving Out

Contact us today to schedule your end of tenancy cleaning and enjoy a seamless transition and ensure your deposit returns intact. Let us handle the tedious chores, ensuring a flawless handover and leaving you with peace of mind. Experience a stress-free moving out with our dedicated team – book now to secure your spot!