Airbnb & Short Term Rental Exit Clean vs Bond Clean: What’s the Difference

Short term rentals, such as Airbnb have emerged as one of the most popular alternatives to traditional hotels in South Australia. Providing travellers with more affordable, localised and personalised accommodation options, short term rentals are the perfect examples of how the hospitality sector has evolved in the past few years.

On the other hand, rental homes and apartments are also in demand across the region. Families and working professionals moving close to the CBD or workplace prefer renting a home rather than buying a property from scratch. Both short term rentals and residential rental properties have distinct purposes, but require attention to detail cleaning.

Whether you’re an Airbnb host preparing the property for the next guest or a tenant preparing a rental home for the final move out, cleanliness is the main string that makes a world of difference. However, each option has different expectations, legal requirements and cleanliness standards.

Today, we break down the key differences between Airbnb and short term rental exit clean vs bond clean to help you prepare better for a stress free experience. Many tenants even prefer hiring end of lease cleaning Adelaide experts when vacating a rental home to restore the property to its original state. Before hiring experts, you must know the difference between the two.

1. What does Airbnb & Short Term Rental Exit Cleaning mean?

Airbnb or short term rental exit cleaning promises happy guests, positive reviews and higher guest turnover. It is a detailed cleaning performed once the guest exits from the property. The process is to prepare the short term rental for the next guest.

The sole focus is on removing accumulated dust, refreshing bed linens, bath towels and replenishing essentials. Unlike bond cleaning, it is quick yet area focused to reset the accommodation for the next comfortable and hygienic stay.

2. What is the Purpose of Bond Cleaning in Adelaide?

Performed at the end of a tenancy, Bond cleaning is a one time process that requires precision, a detailed checklist and time to restore a rental property to its original state. Every nook and cranny must be cleaned to meet the landlord’s expectations and pass the rental inspection. From ceiling fans and windows to kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures, bond clean focuses on every single aspect to help tenants secure their full bond without any dispute. The sole aim, here, is to prepare the property for the next occupant.

3. Bond Cleaning’s Legal Obligations Vs. Exit Cleaning’s Hospitality Standards

When it comes to end of lease cleaning in Adelaide, it is a legal obligation for a tenant to return a rental home in a ‘reasonably clean’ condition, minus normal wear and tear. In Australia, real estate agents and landlords adhere to strict checklists and cleanliness standards when conducting the final rental inspection to check for dirt and damage. If something is missed or dirty areas are overlooked, they have the right to withhold your full or partial bond to cover cleaning costs.

On the contrary, Airbnb exit cleans don’t have any legal obligations, but hospitality and hygiene standards are mandatory. Booking rates and revenue depend on how well hosts maintain the property. You should strictly follow guest satisfaction standards to provide an ultimate staying experience. It should be cleaned and sanitised properly to give a sense of satisfaction to the next guest. Remember that an untidy space may lead to a bad review.

4. Know the Difference: Cleaning Frequency of Exit vs Bond Clean

Bond cleaning is one time cleaning, performed by tenants at the end of a tenancy or before the final move out. It is more detailed, curated and requires precision to match the landlord’s expectation. The cleaning frequency may vary depending on the specific lease period. In Adelaide, a long term rental home lease is often for 1 to 5 years. So, it is important for tenants to regularly maintain the property to prevent the buildup of grime and gunk.

On the other hand, a short term rental exit cleaning is conducted after the departure of each guest. However, the frequency of turnover exit clean can vary by the occupancy rate and, of course, the booking schedule. Most vacation rentals are cleaned multiple times per week after every guest.

5. Bond Cleaning is More Thorough than Airbnb Exit Cleaning

When moving out of your rental home after completing your lease term, you are obligated to return the property in a tidy and habitable condition. Know what’s included in end of lease cleaning in Adelaide:

• Removing cobwebs, insect marks and dust from ceiling fans, air vents, and walls
• Wipe down light fixtures and fittings, shelves, cabinets and cupboards inside and out.
• Exhaust fan and range hood cleaning
• Window washing inside and out if accessible.
• Cleaning window treatments
• Wall spot cleaning
• Degreasing kitchen cabinets
• Cleaning kitchen appliances, including ovens, BBQs, Microwaves and Refrigerators
• Removing soap scum, limescale and rust from bathroom fixtures and fittings
• Removing toilet stains and lingering germs
• Cleaning hard to reach spots like grout lines, around faucets, garbage disposal
• Cleaning carpets and floors
• Vacuuming tracks and skirting boards
• Outdoor cleaning, patio and garage walls, driveway cleaning

When it comes to Airbnb/ short term exit cleaning, it is quick but requires a high standard cleaning to maintain hygiene levels. Here’s what’s included in exit clean:

• Removing clutter
• Dusting bookshelves, side tables and lampshades
• Wiping down kitchen counters, sink and appliances
• Refreshing bathrooms
• Vacuuming carpets and mopping floors
• Refreshing bed linens
• Dusting furniture
• Scrub the toilet seat and bathtub.
• Polish mirrors
• Changing or re stocking bathroom essentials like towels, soaps and creams
• Sanitising frequently touched areas like remote controls, door knobs, light switches, etc
• Replacing consumables like coffee and tea

The rental accommodation should feel comfortable yet immaculate to attract more guests.

6. Time and Energy Required: Know the Difference

Since bond cleaning is performed less frequently, it often takes 4 to 10 hours, depending on the size and condition of the property. Conversably, the frequency of Airbnb cleaning is more consistent; it won’t take more than an hour or two to complete the entire process. It doesn’t require intensive scrubbing or attention to detail cleaning. The focus is on refreshing the property for the next guest.

7. How Cleaning Results Impact Host Ratings vs Bond Refund

Failing to perform a detailed bond cleaning can lead to failed rental inspections, bond deductions, costly penalties and even disputes with the landlords. You may lose your partial or full bond, which is equal to four weeks’ rent.

For Airbnb rentals, the inspection comes from the guest reviews. Half baked cleaning can deter potential guests. The worst part is that your property may get poor ratings, reduced bookings and put your income at risk. Both have serious consequences, and it is essential to take cleaning seriously.

8. Understanding the Pricing Difference

There is no denying that a professional end of lease cleaning Adelaide is more intense, requires strict pre approved cleaning standards, time, proper tools and labour to pass the final rental inspection in the competitive rental market. Many renowned companies in the city offer bond cleaning at the most reasonable price, ranging between $250 to $350 for 5 to 7 hours, depending on the type of your rental home and its condition.

While the Airbnb exit clean is quick but focused, the price may range from $80 to $200, depending on the property’s size, condition, frequency, and set standards.

Remember that tenants are not obligated to hire professional cleaners, but it is good to seek expert assistance for spotless results and secure bond retrieval. Similarly, hiring professional cleaners for Airbnb cleaning is ideal if you have frequent guest turnover or want to maintain higher ratings.

Infographic: Airbnb Exit Cleaning Vs Bond Cleaning Guide

Wrapping Up

There is no denying that Airbnb/short term rental exit clean is different from a bond clean in Adelaide in terms of purpose, frequency, checklists, consequences and depth. The goal of exit cleaning is to prepare the accommodation for the next guest quickly, maintaining the highest level of hygiene and presentation standards to provide a top notch guest experience and generate consistent bookings and good ratings. Bond cleaning, on the other hand, is a legal obligation to restore the property to its original state and secure the bond at the end of a tenancy. Make sure you clearly understand the difference and approach it differently to achieve the best outcomes.