What Landlords Look for During Final Inspection: Insights for Tenants

Every tenant in South Australia knows the stress of passing the final rental inspection at the end of a tenancy. This is one of the most crucial steps to claim the full bond without dispute. The process can be overwhelming due to strict guidelines, and understanding what landlords look for during the inspection can make a huge difference.

It can help you prepare the rental property effectively and leave a great impression on your landlord or property manager. According to the tenancy agreement, a landlord conducts a strict inspection to evaluate the property’s current condition. This helps them find a new occupant without any downtime.

Thus, they check every nook and cranny for cleanliness and maintenance issues and address safety hazards in order to protect their investment. This means tenants must return the property in the same condition as it was at the start of a lease. That’s why they prefer hiring a quality end of lease cleaning Adelaide service for exceptional results.

Here is a complete guide to help you understand what landlords consider during the final inspection. This can help tenants ensure a hassle-free move-out process without any disagreement.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Kitchen Surfaces and Appliances

Believe it or not! The kitchen is one of the key areas during the final inspection. Landlords will evaluate the cleanliness of every nook and cranny in your kitchen. This includes the exhaust fan, range hood, sink faucets, and garbage disposal. Ensure you clean the inside and the outside of your appliances, such as the oven, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, etc.

Focus on dislodging built-up grease, grime, food splatters and lurking germs using the best methods. Do not forget to sort your kitchen pantry and cabinets when preparing for a rental inspection. You can use baking soda and white vinegar to effectively remove stains and grime.

Bonus Tip: Ensure all your kitchen appliances are working perfectly before the final inspection.

2. The Hygiene Level of Bathrooms

There is no denying that bathrooms are strictly inspected for functionality, cleanliness and sanitisation. Landlords will thoroughly check the showers, glass doors, counters, bathtubs, toilets, behind the toilet seat, tile and grout lines, sink and faucets, towel railings, cabinets and doorknobs.

You can seek assistance for the best end of lease cleaning Adelaide professionals for the removal of soap scum, calcium deposits, grime, gunk and other stubborn stains from bathroom fixtures and fittings.

Bonus Tip: If you don’t want to lose your hard-earned bond money, check showerheads, taps and toilets for water leaks or major damage. Fix the issues promptly.

3. Interior Maintenance: Walls and Paintwork

Normal wear and tear, such as normal fading, minor scuff marks, a few holes from hanging frames and minor cracks, is acceptable. However, landlords may deduct your bond money due to large holes in walls, deep scratches or adhesive marks, stubborn stains and graffiti, damaged plaster and peeling paint.

Ensure you refer to the Property Condition Report and restore the walls and paintwork to the original condition. Fix the unacceptable damages and clean your walls using mild detergent and a magic eraser. It can do wonders in transforming your dirty walls without any scratches.

4. Thorough Inspection of Windows and Mirrors

It is good to leave your windows clean and streak-free inside and outside (if accessible). Remove the dust, dirt, grime and gunk from window sills, tracks, frames and panes using a homemade window cleaner. Wipe it with a microfiber cloth to dislodge dirt and stains.

Run a rubber squeegee and remove excess water for streak-free windows and mirrors. This will help you achieve spotless results in no time. Use a pressure washing technique for exterior windows to remove bird droppings and gunk. Also, clean the window blinds and curtains to impress your landlords.

Bonus Tip: Inspect for cracks on the window frames and chips in the glass.

5. Important or Hard-to-Reach Spots

Do not overlook the following spots when preparing your property for the rental inspection. Landlords pay special attention to these areas due to dirt and grime buildup:

• Air vents and ducts: Vacuum clean your vents to remove accumulated dust and debris. Soak them in hot water or replace it with a new one.
• Ceiling fans and walls: Remove dust particles and allergens using a telescopic duster. You can also use a pillowcase technique to wipe down your ceiling fan blades.
• Light Fixtures and Fittings: Wipe down all your rooms’ light fixtures, fittings, and switchboards using a damp microfiber cloth.
• Picture Frames and Shelves: Eliminate dust from these areas to ensure quality indoor air.
• Door Tracks: Vacuum clean your door tracks or use an old toothbrush for crannies
• Underneath Heavy Furniture: Clean underneath the sofa, bed and couch.

6. The Condition of Floors and Carpets

Dirty floors, chipped tiles and stained carpets are some of the common reasons behind bond deductions. Landlords will look for these areas before handing over your full bond amount. Make sure your carpets are professionally vacuumed and cleaned. Leave no signs for dirt, pollen, pet hair and stains. You can opt for a steam cleaning option for effective results without using harsh chemicals.

Clean your tiled and wooden floors using safe and sound products. Also, check for cracks and dents. Paying attention to detailing can help you pass your inspection with ease.

7. Cleanliness and Maintenance of Outdoor Areas

If the rental home has a garden, garage and patio, the landlord can inspect these areas too. They want to ensure that the exterior areas are cleaned and maintained. Ensure you mow the garden, trim hedges, and pressure clean the driveways. Also, sweep your patio area and clean your garage, especially walls,  to impress your landlord.

You can also consider hiring the best company for a quality end of lease cleaning Adelaide and ensure a spotless property inside and the outside without a hint of stress. They can help you pass the rental inspection without any disagreement.

What Can a Landlord Look at During an Inspection?

Wrapping up

The landlord will conduct the final inspection when a tenant decides to move out. They will compare the property’s condition to the initial move-in inspection to identify potential damages (beyond normal wear and tear), dirt accumulation and germs inspection. With the help of this guide, you can easily prepare the property while meeting the set standards of your landlords, which can help you get the full bond back.