Cleaning your house after renting is much more than simply putting away your belongings; it’s about preparing the space so you can pass the final walk-through Inspection by your landlord and/or property manager. The purpose of the walk-through is to provide evidence of how the property was returned to its original condition at the beginning of the lease. If there are differences, the tenant may be responsible for payment of those differences. So being aware of where your landlord is going to be looking is essential to giving yourself plenty of time to complete all of the work required. Contact us today at Mop Stars or get a quote.
How cleanliness impacts your deposit
Your cleanliness of the rented unit is very important during this Inspection. Your landlord wants to assure the space is clean enough for the next person to rent. Not only does this mean cleaning everything properly (kitchen counters, sinks, stove, etc.), but also addressing many details that were probably not cleaned during normal cleanings (inside refrigerator, behind washing machine, etc.). A good cleaning job by Mop Stars could greatly increase the chance of passing the Inspection.
Where does your landlord look?
When your landlord inspects the property he/she will most likely look for specific things within the specific parts of the home. Knowing what they are looking for helps you do the best cleaning/maintenance possible.
Kitchen
This room receives a lot of scrutiny. They will be checking:
- Appliances: make sure the oven, refrigerator and dishwasher are free of food and debris. Be especially watchful for any grease buildup on the oven and dirty refrigerators shelves.
- Cabinets/Drawers: clear all contents from cabinets/drawers and clean/wipe out interior surfaces. Your landlord will look for crumbs/stains/any damage.
- Countertops/Sink area: both countertops and sink area should be spotless and free of stains. Also be sure the sink is clear of clogs/grime.
- Floors: thoroughly sweep/mop the floors in the kitchen, pay extra attention to the Areas under Appliances and corners.
Bathroom
Because Bathrooms tend to grow mold/mildew and become grimy, they require a more thorough cleaning than other rooms. Some specifics to pay attention to include:
- Toilet: clean both the exterior and interior. Any stains/residue will most likely cause a deduction.
- Shower/tub: remove soap scum and mildew. Be sure to scrub around grout lines and fixturing.
- Sinks/Mirrors: make sure sinks/mirrors are completely clean, no water spots.
- Flooring: scrub flooring in bathroom making sure to clean grout/baseboard.
Living room/dining room
Other common spaces in a residence will also undergo close Inspection. What your landlord looks for includes:
- Walls: check for scuffs/holes/peeling paint. Depending on the situation, you may need to spackle holes/touchup paint.
- Carpets: thoroughly vacuum, possibly use a professional carpet cleaner if you want to try to eliminate any stains/odors.
- Windows: clean Windows inside/outside/sills/tracks.
- Light Fixtures: Dust/clean all fixtures/lightbulbs (all working).
Bedrooms
While bedrooms generally don’t receive as much scrutiny as kitchens/bathrooms/living rooms/dinners, they still need to be tidy/clean. Think about:
- Closets: completely empty and clean inside closets – remove any dust/debris.
- Flooring: as mentioned above for living rooms/dining rooms/vacuum carpets/sweep/mop hard floors.
- Windows/curtains/shades: clean windows completely and dust/blind/shade.
Getting ready for walk through inspection
Getting prepared for the walk through inspection takes planning and effort. To give you some ideas here are a few suggestions:
- Create a walk through checklist: creating a checklist will help you remember everything you’re supposed to check off your list. This way you’ll be able to stay organized/focused.
- Get started early: start early, ideally weeks in advance of your moving day. This will save you a great deal of stress/unexpected work to do at the end.
- Hire a professional cleaner (Denver): using professional cleaning services in Denver CO can save you time/effort and may even protect your deposit.
- Document everything: before leaving the property take pictures of everything to create proof of your cleaned/condition of the property at move-in.
Contact us today at Mop Stars or get a quote.