Is your lease coming to an end soon and your moving boxes are almost ready? It's time to move on to the last bit before handing the keys back to your landlord: the end-of-lease cleaning of your home. Often overlooked by tenants, this final cleaning is nevertheless a guarantee that allows you to get your initial deposit back. The condition? Put everything back in order before the day of the inspection. Rest assured, there is no need to worry if you don't rush things and follow the landlord's requests to the letter. Here's an overview of the secrets of an end-of-lease cleaning to pass the inventory without a hitch.
End of lease cleaning at home: explanations and responsibilities
Regardless of the type of rental, signing a lease contract necessarily involves an inspection that will allow the general condition of the premises to be diagnosed well before the keys are handed over. This formality consists of making an inventory of the equipment available, then an assessment of each room before the new tenant moves in. Of course, all the details must be noted in an official documented form, so that each party can keep track of them until the end of the contract. At this time, a new inventory is required, although this mainly involves the reimbursement of the rental deposit.
Thus, when moving, tenants are required to return the accommodation to its initial condition, that is to say: empty and clean. This is when the end-of-lease cleaning of the apartment/house takes place, the essential steps of which are:
- Emptying the premises: household linen, furniture and boxes must be cleared out beforehand
- Deep cleaning of all rooms and facilities: dusting the ceiling, descaling the tiles, polishing the parquet floor and skirting boards, shampooing the carpets and rugs, washing the walls as well as the doors and windows, degreasing the cooking equipment and the taps, sweeping the chimney, etc.
- Repairing the damage: holes in walls and floors, damaged shelves, damaged furniture or appliances, unusable sockets or light fixtures, broken keys or door handles, blocked drains, damaged roof and ceilings, etc.
- Repairing the damage: the return of all equipment: furniture, electrical appliances, user manuals, etc.
Your checklist for putting the premises back in perfect condition
It often happens that the inspection of the premises at the end of a lease agreement causes discord between the landlord and the tenant, especially when the two parties do not see eye to eye. This is why the official departure form is essential and to this is added the end of lease cleaning checklist for houses.
In addition to creating your own end-of-tenancy cleaning checklist, also consider consulting your landlord several weeks in advance to find out what their requirements are. This way, you can avoid any frustration caused by the exit inventory while ensuring that each room is properly refurbished. Your checklist will include the different tasks to be carried out in each room of the house, starting with the bedrooms where there is generally less work to be done.
Here is an example of an end of lease cleaning checklist for your home to inspire you:
Pieces
Cleaning work
Repair work
Kitchen
tiles, hood, earthenware
cupboards, shelves, drawers, oven handles, plates, grills, spits large household appliances
sink (siphon, taps, worktop, etc.)
joints, drains, taps
sockets, switches, lights
damaged electrical appliances
Bathroom
tiles, earthenware
cupboards, shelves, drawers, handles
bathtub, sink, bidet (taps, hoses, pipes, siphon, etc.)
WC (seat, lid, etc.)
water heater
air duct
Exteriors
lawn, flowerbeds, shrubs, flower pots, paths
balcony, terrace, patio
fountain, water point
garage (door, floor, walls, etc.)
resurfacing and evacuations
flowerbeds, paths
garage door opener system
switches, lights
fence
Entire dwelling
- Editor's Tip: As much as possible, prefer natural products to aggressive products for cleaning and descaling work (white vinegar, baking soda, water with mild soap, etc.). Equip yourself with products suitable for specific surfaces such as chrome-plated steel, for example, to avoid scratching or damaging them.
What if you entrust the end of lease cleaning of your house to a professional?
Too absorbed by the multiple administrative procedures, the boxes and the supervision of the movers, the majority of tenants completely forget about the end-of-lease cleaning. It is clear that preparation for engagement takes more time than you might imagine, and the next chore can be even more stressful and painful. However, don't forget that the exit inventory will allow you to get a good portion of your rental deposit back. Also, think about future tenants who, like you, expect to move into a place in good condition. But the constraints related to end-of-tenancy cleaning don't stop at a lack of time or the guarantee of a satisfactory result. Many tenants also skip this step due to a lack of equipment and cleaning products. The solution? Call on the services of a company specializing in end of lease cleaning Lausanne
Please note that this type of service must be prepared in advance in order to reserve the ideal technician within the time limit set by your rental contract. Usually, end of lease cleaning price includes the price of the service and the cost of the household products used. To find the offer that suits you, you can ask an end of lease cleaning quote by organizing a site visit with the company of your choice.
Kill two birds with one stone by immediately choosing a moving and cleaning expert.
