Cleaning Guide

General Cleaning

It is expected that the property be kept reasonably clean, and this is also a tenancy agreement requirement. Pay particular attention to:

Walls, switches, power points, skirtings, doors and doorways – please keep these free from marks and dirty finger marks.
Cobwebs/dusting – please remove cobwebs to windows, walls and ceilings. Keep ventsdusted. Light fittings and ceiling fans – keep them dusted regularly.
Curtains/blinds – keep these cleaned, dusted and also (if suitable) machine or dry clean curtains and netting on an annual basis.
Windows/sills/window tracks and flyscreens – keep regularly cleaned and dusted. Pleasenote most modern windows are easily removed from their tracks by lifting the sliding window up at the bottom, and pulling this out for easy cleaning.
Floors – please keep floors regularly swept and mopped. Floors in the kitchen and wet areas may need to be scrubbed to keep surfaces, tiles and grouting looking clean.
Ventilation – please ensure that all rooms are kept adequately ventilated to avoid problems associated with condensation, causing mould and possible health problems.
Wet Areas, bathroom, toilet and laundry grouting/tiles – please ensure all tiles are kept free from grime, soap scum and mould.

Carpet Cleaning

All carpets need to be cleaned on a six to twelve month basis, simply because of general living. The best time is after winter or at the end of a wet period.

We recommend professional steam cleaning and we do not recommend the use of ‘do-it-yourself’ hire machines. These machines lack the ability to adequately withdraw soapy water the machine may have squirted in. Sometimes it is tempting to not have the carpets cleaned on vacating because they have been used only minimally, and some rooms hardly used at all.

On vacating please present a receipt to show the carpets have been professionally cleaned.

Repairs and Maintenance

General Repairs

We insist that all repairs are lodged in writing. You can lodge written repair requests by downloading a repair request form from or use the provided repair request forms handed to you at tenancy start. You can lodge your repair requests by fax or post.

Emergency Repairs

Emergency items are generally those that could cause injury to the tenant or damage to the property, and may include:

Water pipes have broken or burst
Blocked or broken toilet (if a second toilet is not available)
Serious roof leak or gas leak
Dangerous electrical fault, dangerous power point, loose live wire etc;
Flooding, rainwater inundation inside the property, or serious flood damage Serious storm, fire or impact damage (i.e. impact by a motor vehicle)
Failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply to the premises
Failure or breakdown of an essential service or appliance on the premises for water or cooking
Hot water service failure on a weekend, or long weekend (this would not be considered an afterhours emergency if this occurs on a week night)
Fault or damage that makes premises unsafe or insecure
Fault likely to injure a person, cause damage or extreme inconvenience

After hour’s emergency repairs

Should an emergency repair be required after hours then you need to call Kristy on (08) 6261 0666

Misplaced Keys

If you have misplaced your keys during business hours you may come to our office and borrow our office set.

If you have misplaced your keys after hours, you may call a locksmith to assist you back into the property. This is at the tenant cost.

IMPORTANT! Most modern window flyscreens can only be removed from the inside of the property. Attempting to remove them from the outside will result in damage to the flyscreen frame work, and will result in the flyscreen having to be repaired or replaced at your cost. This may cost more than what it would cost to have a locksmith attend the property to allow you access back in.

Property Damage

If property damage has occurred you are obligated to let us know immediately, or on the next business day if occurring on a weekend or public holiday.

Noise/Disruption

It is important to note that the utmost care must be taken to ensure that you do not infringe on disrupting your neighbours with noise. Loud music, parties or otherwise can disrupt a neighbour’s right to peace and the quiet enjoyment of their residence.

In the case of units and apartments, particular care must be taken with respect to noise due to the close proximity of other properties, usually located on the other side of the wall. This also includes your obligation to ensure that your visitors are not disrupting neighbours when walking from your premises to their parked vehicles.

Air conditioners

Please, regularly clean any filters and intake vents to ensure there is no build-up of dirt and dust, and that the unit is able to draw in air effectively, not hindering performance, or in the worse case scenario, causing the unit to breakdown resulting in costly repairs and/or replacement. Please also note that if an air conditioner breaks down due to filters and vents not being kept clean, costs to rectify the damage or even replace the unit might be charged to tenants.

Smoke Alarms

Should you believe for any reason the smoke alarm(s) installed are not working or the batteries are not functioning, please let us know immediately. Protect your safety by being vigilant and report to us any issues, to ensure your safety in the case of a fire.

Inspection Guidelines

Routine Inspections and Photos

We will conduct a routine at the property approximately every 3 months. The main purpose is to provide a report to the owner that you are maintaining the property, and also to check for any repairs and make any recommendations to the owner. Please see a detailed list of what we look out for below.

Photos

Also note that the inspection may also involve taking photos of any repairs required, and a photo of the grounds front and back. It is policy that we DO NOT TAKE photos of tenant possessions.

Routine Inspection Guide – What we look out for at inspections:

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 to 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

Tenant’s Contents Insurance

It is crucial that you have your own tenant contents insurance!

It is important to note that should your goods be damaged or destroyed by circumstances affecting the owner’s property (i.e. fire, storm damage, power outages etc) then your goods and possessions are not insured by the owner.

Example One: An electrical fault in the building starts a fire and the property is destroyed. Yourpossessions will not be covered by the owner’s insurance.

Example Two: You are away on holidays and the power cuts out due to an electrical fault in thebuilding. Your return home to find your fridge/freezer goods spoilt. The owner’s insurance will not cover your fridge/freezer goods.

Example Three: A storm blows a tree onto the house and in the process, your belongings aredamaged. The owners insurance will not cover your possessions.

In all cases above, quality tenant contents insurance should cover your goods for these given examples. Please check with your insurer however for the cover they can provide you.

You need to ensure that all your goods are adequately insured and the owner/agent will not be liable for damaged or destroyed tenant possessions.