Before your end of lease clean: the details worth checking
Moving house involves a lot of moving parts, and cleaning can feel like one more job on a long list. A little preparation before the cleaners arrive helps the team spend more time on the property and less time working around boxes, missing keys or disconnected power.
1. Make sure the property is actually empty
Ideally, arrange cleaning after furniture and personal belongings have been removed. Empty rooms let us reach floor edges, skirting boards, internal cupboards and the places hidden by sofas and beds. Moving furniture around a room while cleaning often takes time away from more important detailing work.
Check cupboards and drawers for anything you still need to take. Removing leftover items also helps avoid confusion about what should be disposed of and what should be left behind.
2. Keep power and water connected
Vacuuming, washing floors, cleaning kitchen areas and using bathroom products all depend on access to utilities. If the electricity or water has already been disconnected, let your cleaner know before the booking. The scope may need to change, or the appointment may need to be rescheduled.
3. Share the property requirements early
Send through your agent's cleaning checklist or inspection notes if you have them, and mention specific items such as an oven, rangehood, internal windows, balcony, garage or heavy scale. End of lease cleaning is not identical from one property to another, so a detailed description and photographs help us provide an appropriate quote.
If the property has unusual finishes, delicate flooring or specific product requirements, mention these too. It is much easier to plan for them in advance than discover them on arrival.
4. Sort out access, parking and timing
Confirm the address, key collection, intercom or gate code and whether parking is available nearby. If the property is in an apartment building, check whether lift bookings or loading restrictions apply. Where possible, allow some flexibility between moving out, cleaning and the final inspection rather than booking every step back to back.
5. Separate cleaning from repairs and other services
Some marks are beyond ordinary cleaning. Damaged paint, worn grout, scratched floors and broken fittings may require maintenance rather than stronger products. Likewise, carpet steam cleaning, pest treatments, rubbish removal and exterior pressure washing may be separately quoted services rather than standard inclusions.
We can explain what the agreed cleaning scope includes so you can organise anything else before handover.
6. Do your own quick walkthrough
Once the property is empty, take photos and walk room by room. Look inside cupboards, at window tracks, around kitchen appliances and behind doors. If you notice something unusual, flag it when arranging the service. The more accurately we understand the starting condition, the better we can plan the right amount of time.
Keep your agent's checklist, the cleaning scope and your final property photos together. They make any follow-up conversation clearer and help everyone understand what was completed.
Planning an end of lease clean in Canberra?
Shine & Co can provide a tailored quote for your property in Canberra and nearby areas. Send us the number of rooms, property condition, access details and any inspection checklist, and we'll help work out a practical cleaning plan.