Most Common Cleaning Complaints From Property Manager
Have you ever wondered why so many tenants get their full deposit back? Often, the answer is cleaning. Renting agents pool a considerable amount of scrutiny on rental homes before any bond returns, and minor tidying wrangles can cause alarm bells to ring. Knowing the common complaints property managers have about cleaning the properties can help tenants avoid costly mistakes during the final stage of the rental period, make sure they pass the inspection, and, what is more, help them return their property in pristine condition.
Most of the tenants get rid of the dust simply by vacuuming and wiping the surfaces before handing the keys over. But, property managers say that, in most cases, tenants aren’t aware of their faults. If tenants are aware of the things that the inspectors will be paying attention to, they will be able to get themselves prepared better and avoid even some disputes over cleaning issues.
Table of Contents
1. Kitchens Cause Most Complaints
The kitchen is always the source of the highest complaints about cleaning by a property manager. Tenants do tend to clean what you see, but grease and food residue can adhere behind walls.
Ovens are among the most commonly reported items in inspections. Property managers often encounter grease on oven racks, trays, and walls of the ovens. Rangehood filters, splashbacks and stovetops are other places where dirt builds up with time.
Dishwashers can be a nightmare as well. Bits of food caught in filters and bad smells are the result of cleaning that’s more surface-level than deep. Cupboards and drawers, too, should be emptied and cleaned before the final check. The following are some common kitchen issues that are thrown up in the inspection reports.
| Area | Common Complaint | Solution |
| Oven | Grease and burnt residue | Deep clean interior and racks |
| Rangehood | Dirty filters | Remove and wash filters |
| Dishwasher | Food build-up | Clean filter and interior |
| Cupboards | Dust and crumbs | Wipe inside and outside |
| Splashbacks | Grease marks | Degrease and polish |
A clean kitchen will go a long way to impressing during a showing.
2. Bathrooms Often Fail Inspections
Bathrooms were a further area of tenant cleaning complaints. If there is moisture around, it creates a perfect environment for mould, soap scum and mineral build-up. High bills were due to the shower screens being spotted with water and cemented with soap. If not cleaned regularly, tile grout can also grow black mould. Property managers will also often peek around taps, behind toilets and inside vanity cupboards for grime. Exhaust fan grills are also underattended. Even a clean bathroom can appear dirty if dust is left on these surfaces. Working on these parts will greatly improve the appearance during inspections and demonstrate the correct maintenance of the property.
3. Dust In Hidden Areas
Forget hidden crannies throughout the home, and there is a cleaning complaint that property managers one of the quickest ways to generate.
Property managers frequently look:
- Ceiling fans
- Light fixtures
- Air vents in air-conditioning units
- Curtain rails
- Skirting boards
- Window Channels
These places accumulate dust over time and may not be visible to the occupants of the home. But they are generally more apparent after a final clean, as the remainder of the property has been cleaned. A quick dust job from top to bottom goes a long way to making sure these neglected spots don’t get overlooked.
4. Marks On Walls
A property can look a lot cleaner by cleaning its walls and doors. Generally, assets are marked with fingerprints, smudges and small stains during a tenancy. Entrance doors, corridor walls, bedrooms for children and the vicinities of light switches are the most heavily affected. Is some filth acceptable as wear and tear? Remember to clean all the doorknobs, door frames, and the surface of all your light switch covers. Door knobs are frequently used, resulting in the collection of bacteria, fingerprints, and debris. It can make a big difference for walls to undergo a little spot-cleaning before you move out.
5. Carpet Cleaning Concerns
Carpets often turn up on inspection reports as a cleaning issue. The standard vacuum and surface vacuum alone aren’t the best way to clean or trap dirt, pet dander, buried stains and odours from carpet. Areas with lots of foot traffic, such as your front entry and living room, experience the most wear. Homeowners may use tougher methods (chemical cleaning) to get out visible or smelly pet stains.
Many leases require that the carpet be broken down professionally – particularly if there were pets that lived in it. You do not have to hire a carpet cleaner if this requirement does not apply to you; however, after having the carpet cleaned thoroughly, you may find that they look and smells much more pleasant than before.
The following table compares common Carpet Cleaning Methods:
| Cleaning Method | Best For | Benefits |
| Vacuuming | Weekly maintenance | Removes loose dirt and dust |
| Spot Cleaning | Fresh stains | Prevents permanent marks |
| Steam Cleaning | Deep cleaning | Removes embedded dirt and odours |
| Professional Cleaning | End-of-lease preparation | Thorough cleaning and improved presentation |
Good carpet care will help avoid one of the most common cleaning complaints from tenants.
6. Outdoor Areas Get Ignored
Many tenants spend all of their time and energy cleaning inside and neglect outside, not realising that you really need to clean outside too. Sweeping of balconies and terraces is just the start. Besides these, even garages, backyards and foyers require cleaning before moving out. In fact, property managers indicate that usually outdoor areas are found with leaves, weeds, cobwebs and trash. Trash bins should be emptied, and all outdoor surfaces should be swept. Plus that, if lawn care and flower bed maintenance are part of your lease agreement, they should be done as specified. Besides showing your individual and property pride, a well-kept garden will increase your home’s exterior appeal.
7. Following A Cleaning Checklist
One of the quickest and most effective ways to avoid the property manager cleaning complaints is to have a cleaning checklist in place. No areas will get left behind in the checklist when you move out; that is what it can do for you. Also, it gives lessors’ tenants a systematic way to work through the property rather than “speeding” from task to task in the final moments.
A standard checklist would be the following:
- Kitchen appliances cleaned
- Bathroom sanitised
- Walls spot-cleaned
- Wipes windows
- Carpets vacuumed
- Outdoor areas tidied
- Rubbish removed
- Cups empty and clean
After the carpets are cleaned, re-check the rest of the house as there might be some spots you missed before the inspection.
8. Benefits of Professional Cleaning
On occasion, regardless of tenant intentions, they lack sufficient time or equipment to properly perform their own cleaning. Enter the house cleaning professionals who can provide that service. They know what areas property managers focus on. They have special formulations and machinery to eliminate ingrained dirt, stains and deposits. Professional services can provide peace of mind and take some of the stress out of moving week, as you know the house is clean to a high standard. Although there is a cost up front, it can save you from expensive bond withholdings later. When dealing with larger homes or homes that have not been cleaned for a long time, professionals can be valuable.
9. Conclusion
Cleaning has an effect on the final results of rental house inspections. Most of the major frustrations that property managers experience when it comes to cleaning usually concern kitchens and bathrooms, carpets, walls, inaccessible dust, and outdoor areas. Without a doubt, a large number of these issues could be effectively controlled through proper planning and getting down to the details.
By educating themselves on tenant cleaning complaints and following a strict cleaning timetable, tenants will set themselves up for success at the inspection and obtain their entire bond back. If you decide to undertake the cleaning yourself or get the help of professional cleaners, taking the detailed approach can give you the property in excellent condition and also reduce the stress of moving.