Moving out of a rental property is rarely as simple as packing a few boxes and handing over the keys. There is always something else to do. You find things in the back of cupboards, notice dust under the sofa, and suddenly remember the oven has not been cleaned in a while.
Then there is the final inspection.
For many tenants, this is the part that causes the most worry. You may wonder what the real estate agent will check first and whether you have missed something important.
Usually, the first thing they notice is the overall condition of the property. When they walk through the door, they can quickly see whether the place looks clean, empty, and well looked after. After that, they will generally go through the property and check different areas more closely.
The good news is that preparing for a final inspection does not have to be confusing. If you know what to look for and give yourself enough time, the process can be much easier.
This guide will walk you through the main areas agents often check and give you a simple final inspection checklist to use before moving out.
First Impressions Matter
Think about what you notice when you walk into a room.
If there are bags of rubbish in the corner, dust on the shelves, or marks all over the floor, those things are hard to ignore. A real estate agent is no different.
Before they start opening cupboards or checking the condition report, they will usually get a general impression of the property.
- Does it look clean?
- Is it empty?
- Have the floors been cleaned?
- Are there obvious marks or damage?
These are the kinds of things that can stand out straight away.
Before inspection day, walk through the property slowly. Do not just look at the areas you clean every week. Check the spots you normally ignore too.
Look for:
- Dust on shelves and skirting boards
- Cobwebs in corners
- Marks on walls
- Rubbish that still needs to go
- Dirty floors
- Stains on carpets
- Grease around the kitchen
- Water marks in the bathroom
Sometimes, you do not notice these things until the furniture has been removed. Once the house is empty, areas that were hidden for months can suddenly become very obvious.
Carpets Can Get a Lot of Attention
Carpets are one of those things that can look fine when you are living in the property but look very different once everything has been moved out.
There may be dirt in the walking areas, marks under furniture, pet hair, or stains you forgot about.
An agent may check the general condition of the carpet and look for anything that seems unusual or needs attention.
Take a good look at:
- Hallways
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Entry areas
- Areas near doors
These parts of the home usually get the most foot traffic, so they can become dirty faster.
A good vacuum is always a good starting point. However, vacuuming only removes surface dirt. If the carpet has deep dirt, stains, or smells, it may need a proper carpet clean.
If you are unsure about the condition of your carpets, it is better to check them early rather than waiting until the night before the inspection.
The Kitchen Is Usually Checked Closely
Kitchens can be tricky because dirt tends to hide in places you do not always look at.
The benches may be clean, but what about inside the cupboards? What about the oven? Or the rangehood filter?
These are the areas worth checking before the final inspection.
Go through the kitchen and look at:
- Benchtops
- Cooktop
- Oven
- Rangehood
- Splashback
- Sink
- Cupboards
- Drawers
- Floors
Open every cupboard and drawer. It is easy to miss crumbs, dust, or small items left behind.
The oven can take a bit more work, especially if there is built-up grease or burnt food. If you have been putting it off for a while, do not leave it until moving day.
It is much easier to deal with these jobs when you have time.
A simple way to clean the kitchen is to start at the top and work your way down. Clean the cupboards and higher surfaces first, then the benches and appliances, and finish with the floor.
That way, you are not cleaning the same area twice.
Bathrooms Can Show Dirt Very Easily
Bathrooms are another area where small things can become very noticeable.
A shower screen covered in water marks, soap around the taps, or grime in the corners can make an otherwise clean bathroom look unfinished.
Take your time and check:
- Shower screens
- Tiles
- Grout
- Bathtub
- Toilet
- Sink
- Mirrors
- Taps
- Exhaust fan
- Floor
Look closely at the shower screen. Soap scum can build up slowly, so you may not notice how much is there until you start cleaning.
The same goes for the taps and around the sink.
After cleaning, remove your bottles, toiletries, and other belongings. The bathroom should be empty when you leave, apart from anything that belongs to the property.
Check the Walls and Doors
When the property is empty, wall marks become much easier to spot.
You might find scuff marks behind furniture, marks near light switches, or spots where pictures and decorations used to hang.
Not every mark will be a problem. Properties naturally show some signs of use over time. However, it is still worth checking everything before the inspection.
Walk around and look at:
- Walls
- Doors
- Door frames
- Skirting boards
- Light switches
- Blinds
- Curtains
If you used hooks, tape, or similar items, check whether they have left marks behind.
Your entry condition report can be useful here. If you are unsure whether something was already there when you moved in, compare it with the report.
Windows Are Easy to Forget
Windows are one of those jobs that many people leave until the end.
The glass may have fingerprints and dust, while the window tracks can collect dirt, dead insects, and other debris over time.
Before the inspection, check:
- Window glass
- Frames
- Tracks
- Fly screens
- Blinds
- Curtains
Open the windows and look inside the tracks. You may be surprised by how much dirt has collected there.
Clean windows can make the whole property look fresher, especially when the rooms are empty and natural light is coming in.
Do Not Forget the Floors
Floors are visible everywhere, so they can make a big difference to how the property looks.
Vacuum the carpets properly and mop hard floors if needed. Do not rush through this part.
Check along the edges of rooms and behind doors. These areas often collect dust because they are easy to miss during regular cleaning.
Once the furniture has been removed, also look at areas that were underneath beds, sofas, tables, and other large items.
This is another reason it helps to do a final walk through when the property is completely empty.
You will see things you probably did not notice before.
Outdoor Areas Need Attention Too
If your rental has a balcony, courtyard, garage, or other outdoor area, remember to include it in your cleaning.
It is easy to spend all your time cleaning inside and then realise the balcony still needs sweeping.
Make sure you remove:
- Personal belongings
- Rubbish
- Boxes
- Unwanted furniture
Sweep the area and check that nothing has been left behind.
Depending on your rental agreement, you may also have some responsibility for basic garden or outdoor maintenance.
The best thing to do is check your agreement and make sure you understand what needs to be done before moving out.
Fixtures and Other Items in the Property
During the inspection, the agent may also look at fixtures and items that belong to the property.
This can include:
- Light fittings
- Ceiling fans
- Air conditioners
- Smoke alarms
- Built-in appliances
- Door handles
- Blinds
- Locks
If something is damaged or not working properly, it is better to know about it before inspection day.
Also, gather all the keys, garage remotes, and access devices you were given when you moved in. Put them somewhere safe so you are not searching for them at the last minute.
Use the Condition Report as a Guide
Your entry condition report can be one of the most useful things to look at before the final inspection.
It shows what the property was like when you moved in and can help you check whether anything has changed.
Go through the property room by room.
Ask yourself:
- Was this mark already here?
- Did this damage happen during my tenancy?
- Have I cleaned this properly?
- Have I removed all my belongings?
It can also be a good idea to take photos once the property is empty and cleaned.
You do not need to take hundreds of pictures. Just take clear photos of each room and any important areas.
A Simple Final Inspection Checklist
Before handing back the keys, use this Final inspection checklist to make sure you have covered the basics:
- Remove all personal belongings
- Take out all rubbish
- Empty cupboards and drawers
- Clean kitchen benches
- Clean the oven and cooktop
- Wipe down appliances
- Clean the bathroom and toilet
- Remove soap scum and water marks
- Vacuum carpets
- Clean hard floors
- Arrange carpet cleaning if needed
- Clean windows and window tracks
- Dust shelves and surfaces
- Check walls and doors for marks
- Clean light switches
- Tidy outdoor areas
- Check the original condition report
- Take photos of the cleaned property
- Gather all keys and remotes
Give Yourself More Time Than You Think You Need
Cleaning a property after moving everything out can take longer than expected.
You may think you only need a few hours, then find yourself cleaning the oven late at night or trying to remove a stain from the carpet on the morning of the inspection.
Starting early can make a big difference.
Try to clean as you pack. Once a room is empty, give it a proper clean instead of leaving the whole property until the end.
You can also use the final inspection checklist to keep track of what you have finished.
If you are short on time or simply do not want to handle all the cleaning yourself, professional help can take some pressure off.
With over 20 years of experience, Melbourne Vacate and Carpet Cleaning provides vacate cleaning and carpet cleaning services for tenants who want help preparing their property before inspection day.
The main thing is not to rush the final check.
Once the property is empty and clean, walk through each room one more time. Open the cupboards. Look behind the doors. Check the corners. Have one last look at the carpets and floors.
You may spot one or two things that you missed earlier.
A final inspection can feel stressful, but being prepared makes it much easier. Take your time, work through each area, and make sure the property is clean before handing back the keys.
A little extra effort at the end can help you leave the property in good condition and feel more confident when inspection day arrives.
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