6 Unexpected Issues You Can Face During End of Tenancy Cleaning

When you move out of a rented property, you will want your tenancy deposit back. And that is where your ability to do end of tenancy cleaning can make or break your chances. Fail to do this properly, and you may lose a significant portion of your deposit.

However, tidying up the place to a certain standard can be daunting, especially if you are unfamiliar with the process. This article will explore six unexpected issues you can face as you prepare the property and a couple of move-out cleaning tips.

Too Many Possessions to Declutter

Decluttering is an essential part of the move out cleaning. You must eliminate unnecessary items and ensure the property is as clean and tidy as possible. But this can be tricky if you have too many possessions.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed and not know where to start. Should you keep this game console or donate it to charity? Should you pack these flight tickets to Mallorca in your boxes because they’re a memory, or throw them away because you have more precious memories to store? 

Even the most minor thing can drain your brain power and take days to decide on. Meanwhile, the deadline approaches and the chances of getting your deposit back are waning each minute. This is especially painful when you don’t have much cleaning time, bringing us to our next issue.

Little Time

Move-out cleaning is a time-consuming process. You need to tidy everything from top to bottom, including things that are notoriously hard to tackle, like the oven, mattresses, carpets and upholstery. This can take days, disrupting your busy schedule.

It’s essential to plan ahead and give yourself enough time to do a thorough job. Most move-out cleaning tips recommend starting early and breaking the cleaning process down into manageable tasks. This way, you will relieve unnecessary stress and stay on top of things, improving your chances of getting your tenancy deposit back.

Sometimes, however, you just can’t do it – at least not alone. Even if you live solo, you might have accumulated so many things that it will take more than one pair of hands to handle them. You will want to consider asking friends and family for help in these circumstances.

No Help

You may not have cleaned your windows regularly or performed another such daunting task often and realised you need a hand tackling your mess. But, simultaneously, you might be cringing at exposing your loved ones to the layers of limescale, grime and other residues that say a lot about your way of life.

And even if you do reach out for help, there is no guarantee you’ll find an enthusiastic soul in your circle.

In this case, there is no better option than to hire professionals – they’ve seen things and can deal with the issues promptly, freeing up time on your busy schedule to deal with other crucial stuff.

Ineffective Cleaning Techniques and Tools

Imagine you have the time and the help. But if the right tools and knowledge are missing, none of that matters

What is end of tenancy cleaning, after all? It’s all about ensuring you leave no trace of your presence, which is more challenging than your regular tidy-up.

You must use specialised equipment and cleaning products to tackle stubborn dirt, grime, and stains. Not only is trying to scrub residues away using the same products and techniques you use for your regular cleaning inefficient, but it also poses the risk of damaging the property further.

To avoid this problem, you must research the best cleaning techniques and tools for the job. Look for advice online or consult with professionals. Or, better yet, let experts do the job for you, as they will have all the necessary tools and relevant experience.

No Cleaning System

Move-out cleaning requires a systematic approach. You need to have a plan and stick to it. This involves decluttering, dusting, cleaning, and disinfecting every part of the property. 

Nevertheless, many tenants have no idea how to do end of tenancy cleaning in an organised way. They jump from one task to another, leading to missed spots and subpar jobs. And this is understandable because very few of us have much experience moving home – how often do you practise move-out tidying?

Unfortunately, your landlord may not share this level of understanding and choose to deduct cleaning costs from your deposit.

What should you do about it?

First of all, think of this far in advance. Create a step-by-step guide for yourself, and when the hour strikes, stick to it. You may want to start by decluttering the entire property, then work on one room at a time. This way, you can focus on specific areas without getting distracted.

Also, a cleaning checklist can help ensure you don’t overlook anything.

Too High Standards

It’s good to have high standards for cleaning, but it can also be a problem. Some tenants set unrealistic expectations for themselves, which can make the cleaning process more challenging. 

For instance, you might try to remove permanent stains on carpets or upholstery, which is nearly impossible without professional help.

On the other hand, your landlord may expect you to leave the place in a better state than it was at the beginning of your tenancy. This may raise a painful dispute between the two of you.

One thing that could help is working with a professional cleaning company that uses comprehensive cleaning checklists approved by letting agents. They will also provide you with a payment receipt which you can use as proof of high-quality tidying to your landlord.

Tackle These Issues Yourself or Use a Professional Cleaning Company?

Excess possessions, exaggerated expectations, and a lack of time, tools or support can all hamper your end of tenancy cleaning. You must take these issues into account early enough and address them head-on. Do so, and you will likely rescue your tenancy deposit from your landlord’s hands.

However, there’s always an alternative. You can get a move out cleaning company and leave much of the unpleasant work to them while doing the things you love. In the end, it’s all about using your time wisely

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