Tenant rights and responsibilities have been a hot topic over the past few years. As New Zealand’s housing market shifts towards more people renting, tenants and landlords are demanding clarity over the rules and responsibilities of both parties.
If you’re a renter, understanding what’s expected of you before you move out will save you both time and money.
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 states that the tenant must ensure the premises are left ‘reasonably clean and tidy.’ Unfortunately, ‘reasonably clean’ can be interpreted differently regarding each party's expectations.
To help clarify the definition, the Tribunal also states that ‘a tenant generally should not be expected to keep the premises any cleaner and tidier than they were at the commencement of the tenancy.’
This means your landlord can’t expect you to:
Even so, making your rental property ‘very clean’ is the best approach. At the end of the day, it’s your bond at risk. While it is possible to take disputes to the Tenancy Tribunal, the process is lengthy, and there are no guarantees you’ll get your bond back if you leave your rental property unclean.
Gardens
If you have an outdoor garden or backyard, tidy the grounds similarly to when you moved in. Mow the lawns and ensure any planted trees, shrubs or flowers are well cared for. You will need to weed the gardens (if they were weeded when you moved in) and remove any leaf litter from any paved areas as best you can.
Windows
As the tenant, you are responsible for keeping the outdoor windows clean. However, this only applies to windows that are accessible. This responsibility falls to the landlord if you live in an apartment building or multi-level house. Discuss these issues at the start of the tenancy. This way, both parties know what is expected of them at the end of the tenancy.
Chimneys
It is not the tenant's responsibility to clean the chimney. If you use a fireplace, you’ll need to clean the area, sweep and remove any ashes and dispose of them safely. However, chimney cleaning is an annual responsibility that falls on the owner.
Gutters
The gutters are not the responsibility of the tenant. Gutter cleaning requires the use of a ladder and is something that your landlord is responsible for.
Surfaces
During your final clean, you’ll need to wipe down all surfaces like benchtops, walls, splashbacks, the fronts and the insides of cupboards, handles and stainless steel appliances. Remove all food stains, platters, spills, and dust, from all surfaces. Using sugar soap on the walls is a quick way to remove marks and scuffs.
Rubbish
The Tenancy Act states that tenants are responsible for removing all rubbish from the premises. This includes any old objects, clothing or furniture you no longer want. If the landlord has to pay to remove your rubbish, they can take the cost of removal from your bond.
Door railings
Door and window railings are areas that are often overlooked. Vacuum and dust them to remove any dirt, dust and dead insects.
Window joinery
Window surrounds can quickly build up mould and mildew. Wipe these areas down with a wet cloth and remove the condensation.
Ovens and Cooktops
You will need to clean your oven thoroughly before moving out. Use proper oven cleaner to remove baked-on oil and grease. Don’t forget to clean the trays or railings inside. Ensure the cooktop and ventilation unit are clean.
Shower and bath
You will need to remove the buildup of mould from the shower, bath, bathroom walls and ceiling before you move out. Clean the plug holes, remove debris, polish the tapware and remove any water spots.
Lightbulbs
It’s reasonable for the landlord to expect you to replace the lightbulbs before you move out. The only exception is lighting that is broken. You should report any problems with lighting to the landlord as and when it happens.
Carpets
While you are expected to vacuum the carpets before you move out, the landlord cannot expect you to have the carpets professionally cleaned.
Fair wear and tear refers to the deterioration of things used regularly in a rental property. As a tenant, you are not responsible for replacing or paying for items that wear out under normal use.
It is not reasonable to ask tenants to fix or replace items that are worn out from normal use. For example, you should not be held accountable if the floors are worn down in specific areas from foot traffic.
If your landlord isn’t happy with the cleanliness you have left the rental property in, they should tell you. Most landlords will provide a checklist of areas that need to be cleaned and allow you to rectify these areas.
While it is reasonable to ask a tenant to remove rubbish, clean visible dirt or mould from surfaces and clear crumbs, food or debris from areas like plug holes, cabinets or surfaces.
While there is no requirement for every item in the rental property to be clean, you should leave the property in a similar state of cleanliness as the day you moved in. Most rental properties are thoroughly cleaned before each tenancy.
If you are worried about the final property inspection, ask to be present while the landlord or property manager does their final run-through. You can be there if they have any requests or disputes.
As well as leaving your rental property in a clean condition, there are some other steps you can take to ensure your final inspection goes well:
Report all maintenance requests: If something breaks in your home, report it to the landlord or property manager as soon as possible.
Keep a record of all maintenance requests: Your landlord or property manager may choose not to fix or replace damaged items in your rental home. In this case, keep a record of the maintenance request and any replies so that you’re not held liable when you move out.
Take photos when you move in: The best way to gauge whether your rental property is clean is to refer to photos from when you moved in. These photos will also protect you in the event of a dispute. Take pictures of the walls, surfaces, window surrounds, railings and any existing scuffs, marks or damage.
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