Tips for vacating a rental property

I have put together some tips for vacating a rental property. It’s important that you do it right as it can become an issue for you if it’s not done right. My first tip is to ensure that you have given the correct amount of notice to vacate. For example if you are renting in Melbourne and you don’t have a fixed-term tenancy agreement you must give at least 28 days’ notice of intention to vacate to the realestate agent / landlord. If you are renting in Sydney, Brisbane or Perth, I recommend that you check with the relevant state body.

You should also be aware that your vacate date must be 28 days from the day that the realestate agent / landlord actually receives the notice. This means that if you send the notice by mail rather than giving it in person, you need to allow extra days for delivery. I have found that it is taking longer for mail to be delivered, so I would recommend allowing at least 5 extra days, just to cover yourselve.  I would also recommend using registered mail and keeping a copy of the mail receipt (along with a copy of the notice to vacate) so you can prove the date that you sent it.

If you want to vacate your rental property before your lease has finished, you will incur additional fees. You should speak with your Real Estate Agent as there are different fees depending on if you rent in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth.

Cleaning tips for vacating a rental property

In Melbourne you must also have any carpets professionally cleaned and provide a receipt from the company as proof. It’s also important to ensure your rental property is thoroughly cleaned. Listed below is some cleaning tips for vacating a rental property. You can use this as a guide.

Kitchen

• Clean inside/outside out all cupboards
• Wash all countertops and surface areas
• Clean inside and outside of oven and dishwasher
• Clean cooktop, grill and rangehood
• Clean sink and taps, including descaling
• Clean windows, window sills/tracks, window and door frames and fly screens
• Sweep/vacuum and wash floors

Bathroom

• Clean sink, toilet and bath including taps
• Clean tiles
• Remove any mould from walls/tiles and ceiling
• Wash shower curtain/clean shower doors or enclosure
• Clean all surface areas, shower rails and mirrors
• Sweep and wash all floors

Other rooms

• Dust and wash all surfaces
• Dust and wash door and window frames and window sills/tracks
• Clean mirrors
• Dust fans
• Wipe outside of air conditioning units, clean filters
• Clean out any cupboards or wardrobes
• Dust and clean skirting boards
• Vacuum and wash floors

Outdoor areas

• Mow grass, weed and trim edges
• Clean out any leaves or debris in the pool (check for any special conditions in the tenancy agreement)
• Sweep external areas
• Empty and wash out bins
• Remove any oil stains on driveway or in garage
• Remove cobwebs

General

• Remove all rubbish from property
• Get carpets cleaned and pest control conducted if specified in the tenancy agreement

Other tips for vacating a rental property

Other tips for vacating a rental property include checking with your professional cleaners (if you used one), to ensure that the property has been cleaned properly prior to you returning the keys.

Don’t forget to also redirect all your mail which can be done at any Australia Post Branch. When you arrange to have your utilities disconnected you may want to do this a couple of days after you have vacated to ensure all the cleaning has been completed.

If you need assistance with vacating your rental property, then contact Australian Relocation Managers. Not only do we help people find the perfect rental property in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth but we also provide assistance to vacate rental properties as well. Our relocation services are extensive and we can help with things like organising a removalist, packing boxes, insurance, vacate cleaning, maintenance, rubbish removal and returning keys to the realestate agent.