Many tenancy agreements stipulate that tenant’s vacating premises must leave them in the same good condition that they found when they moved in or risk having fees and penalties deducted from their rental deposit by the landlord. It is always advisable to enlist the help of a cleaning company such as Citi Clean to handle cleaning tasks so that you can be sure that your house is cleaned thoroughly while allowing you to concentrate on moving tasks. However, in the event that you are unable to procure the services of a cleaning crew, the following are a few end of tenancy cleaning tips to help you clean the property you are vacating properly and ensure that the house is in pristine condition for when the landlord comes around to make his inspection.

  1. Start cleaning only when you have finished moving all your furniture and other articles to the new premises in order to avoid having to step around things and also to ensure that you have access to every bit of the property for complete cleaning.
  2. Use natural cleaners and disinfectants which help to get rid of odors and vermin while leaving the house clean, sparkling and with a fragrant smell.
  3. Begin working from the top to the bottom i.e., work on the ceiling and walls first to remove cobwebs and dust and gradually move down to windows, cupboards and other fitted services and finally, the floor once everything else is done.
  4. Check kitchen surfaces for grease and other food splatters and wipe this down with warm water mixed with liquid soap. Pick soaps with natural scents such as lemon, lavender and others to leave your kitchen smelling fresh after you are done cleaning.
  5. Empty all storage surfaces such as cupboards, kitchen cabinets, drawers and other and clean them with a wet sponge.
  6. Take down curtains and drapes and launder them thoroughly. Use a professional laundering service if necessary.
  7. Take out the carpets and vacuum all floors. Consider having the carpets professionally cleaned before putting them back in.
  8. Clean all the windows thoroughly making sure that you wipe them dry properly to avoid leaving water stains.
  9. Make sure that all door knobs, taps, closet handles, doors and doorframes are completely clean by wiping them with a cleaning towel dipped in warm, soapy water.
  10. Take out all the debris left over from the cleaning and dispose of it in the bin provided by your council or other waste management company.

By following these few simple tips, you should be able to ensure that your house is clean and sparkling when you leave and take away any excuse your landlord might have for deducting sums from your rental security deposit.