Inside the Property
- Walls/light switches/doorways and doors are clean from marks
- The carpets are clean and stain free
- The windows and screens are clean
- The kitchen area clean and oven/stove top is free of burnt on food and carbon staining
- Shower, bathroom and toilet, Laundry and all tiling is clean
- All areas and rooms are fully accessible (not locked)
Outside the Property
- The lawns are freshly cut/edged and maintained
- Gardens tidy and presentable/weeds removed
- Rubbish/lawn clippings removed
- No unregistered car bodies on the property
- Oil stains removed from carports, garages and driveways
- All areas, garages, store rooms etc are all accessible
- Swimming pool/spa – water and sides/bottom are clean
If You Have an Approved Pet
- Any droppings are picked up and removed
- Any pet damage or rubbish scattered is repaired and cleaned up
- Ensure all/any dogs are properly restrained for the inspection
Vacating a property
Notice in Writing
We need to have your notice in writing noting when you intend to vacate the property. Please complete an RTA Form 13 and provide it to us at least a minimum of two weeks prior to vacating. Please note that the legislated 14 day notice period commences from when we have received your notice.
Breaking a Fixed Term Tenancy
Should you wish to leave during a fixed-term lease, we still require your notice in writing. We are unable to accept your intention verbally.
In the case of breaking a fixed-term lease, the following costs will be incurred:
- Rent until a tenant approved by the landlord takes possession, or the lease expires (whichever occurs first)
- Re-letting fees and marketing fees to let the property
- Should the premises be vacant before a new tenant is secured, it is also your responsibility to ensure that the property is kept clean and tidy and plants and lawns are watered and maintained for this period.
Mail Redirection – Don’t forget to ensure that all mail is re-directed to your new address. You can complete a form with Australia Post to assist with this.
Utilities – electricity, gas, phone, etc. Please ensure all accounts are advised and canceled accordingly. Smart Rentals recommends www.directconnect.com.au a utility service that will ensure your utilities are disconnected at the property and reconnected at the new property you move to.
Appliance Manuals – please leave them on the kitchen counter.
Keys / Swipe Cards / Remote Controls – please ensure you have all keys/swipes and remote controls as provided to you at the start of the tenancy. Also, hand over any extra keys you have arranged to have cut.
The Vacate Inspection
We recommend the use of a professional cleaner. If you do wish to Here’s an overview of what is required:
Inside The Property
Walls – please clean off any dirty marks, removable scuff marks, finger or food marks etc.
Ceilings – please clean and remove any cobwebs.
Light Fittings – clean off dust and remove any dead insects inside.
Ceiling Fans – wipe fan blades and tops of fittings to remove dust build-up.
Skirting Boards – wipe down with a damp cloth.
Doorways, doors – wipe off finger marks and any other removable marks.
Windows – clean inside and out. Nearly all modern sliding aluminium windows can be lifted and pulled out for easy cleaning. Also sills and runners (wipe out dust build-up and any dead insects). Pro tip: A vacuum cleaner and paintbrush or toothbrush can really help here.
Flyscreens – brushed and dusted down. Most modern sliding aluminium windows allow for the flyscreens to be taken off from the inside (once the sliding part of the window has been moved first). Attempting to take them off from the outside may result in damaging them.
Screen Doors – front and back including frames – wiped clean and screen wire brushed.
Stoves – clean stove top, control display, knobs, panels around knobs, any pull out or in-built drip trays, griller racks, trays and any inserts, oven racks, trays and oven bottom, walls and oven roof. A good oven cleaner will clean most ovens – however, it is important that you read the instructions on the product carefully. Some cleaners can actually hinder oven surfaces (like stainless steel), and also some products have dangerous caustic fumes. Use with caution!
Kitchen Range Hood – clean pull out filters and framework.
Bathroom – clean sink, mirror, cabinet, vanity unit and drawers, shower recess, glass screen and screen doors, bath and wall tiles. Please ensure both the sink and bath has a plug available.
Toilet – clean cistern, seat, bowl inside and also outside around the base. Don’t forget the skirting tiles around the toilet.
Laundry – clean both the inside and outside of the trough, and underneath. Please ensure a plug is present.
Tiling – make sure all tiling and grouting in all areas of the house are clean.
Exhaust – please ensure vents and fan covers are cleaned.
Air-Conditioners – front vents and filters cleaned of built-up dirt. Modern systems (Wall Type) – filters easily pull out and can be brushed down with a hand brush. If there is a ducted reverse cycle air-conditioner unit, the air intake filter should be cleaned. This is usually on the ceiling in the passage area.
Air-Conditioning Ceiling Vents – please clean down if dusty or dirty.
Cupboards/Drawers – please clean/wash inside and out. Also doors and door frames, front and back of doors need to be cleaned.
Curtains – wash any washable curtains and netting. If other curtains are visibly dusty or dirty, consider dry cleaning.
Blinds – if you have Venetian blinds, clean off the blind slats. Any other type of blinds should be able to be wiped down.
Floors – floors to be mopped/washed if needed – please ensure corners and hard to get areas are also cleaned.
Carpets – We strongly recommend that you have the carpets professionally cleaned. Be aware that using ‘do it yourself’ carpet cleaning hire machines may initially save on cost, but in the long run may cost you a lot more as they generally do not have the power to get carpets properly clean. This can result in professional carpet cleaning still being required after you have paid to hire a machine.
Outside The Property
Lawns – freshly mowed and edged.
Gardens – remove any weeds, any rubbish and built up leaves etc, re-mulch where required.
Guttering – please ensure that the gutters are freshly cleaned of any dirt/silt and leaves/twigs.
Rubbish – remove any rubbish that you have placed at the property. Please check behind sheds, under shrubs and trees. This includes lawn clipping piles and any compost left.
Sweep – paths and paving areas need to be clear of debris.
Oil Spillage Removal – check and clean carport and garage floors, paths and driveway. If you have used a barbeque, check for any grease spots and spillages etc.
Cigarette Butts – if there are cigarette butts lying around – please pick up and remove.
Garages and Tool Sheds – please remove any items from inside and behind garages and tool sheds that belong to you, including rubbish.
If You Have a Pet
Dog Poo – please remove it!
Dog Urine – remove/clean where your pet may habitually urinate (Base of walls, verandah posts etc.)
Dog Stains – to outside walls. Check for stains on walls etc.
Dog/Cat Claw Damage – check screen doors, flyscreens and curtains. Please replace the screen wire if required.
Dog Chew Damage – please ensure watering systems are free of dog chew damage and are repaired accordingly.
Pet Hair – please ensure any visible pet hair inside is removed.
Fumigation – if your lease stipulates flea and tick treatment, please ensure this is arranged and provide us the invoice as confirmation.