Can your landlord charge you for cleaning?

What is considered a clean premises?

The New South Wales Tenancy Act contains 228 separate pieces of legislation but does any of this answer the question of, can your landlord charge you for cleaning? At no point does the Act clearly, legally define what is considered a clean residence. It appears that is left to the discretion of the real estate agency. Maybe they should have 229 pieces of legislation, but never mind, that is how it stands. Therefore, it is perfectly legal for a landlord to withhold your security deposit, your bond money, if they feel in any way dissatisfied with the state of the vacated property. A lot of things in life are subjective, as in ‘Was that a good book to read’? ‘Do you like to eat spicy food’? It is also subjective for the real estate agency to arbitrate as to whether a residence is, or is not, cleaned to their satisfaction.

Given that there is no strict legal definition, it is probably best to consider their perception. To a real estate agent a clean residence is generally defined as clean as brand new, with a never lived in look. Any demarcation is left to the agent’s discretion. Of course there are too many single issues regarding the end of tenancy cleaning of a residence to mention them all individually, but it is reasonable to say that a lot of people may, inadvertently overlook one or two of them. For example, would you have considered to clean the back of the toilet bowl or remove all of the tile grout? How about to remember to defrost the freezer compartment in the fridge? A real estate agent’s concept would also include professionally cleaned carpets. If you don’t organise it then they are perfectly within their legal rights to withhold your bond money and organise it to be cleaned to their satisfaction, at your expense. Any single aberration can lead to you forfeiting your bond. In fact, the agency can charge you over the cost of your bond if they see fit. It is entirely up to them. It is not an uncommon practice.

The most frequent claim by agents for withholding bond money is dissatisfaction with the cleanliness of the vacated residence. A usual topic of conversation in Australia these days is how the concept of home ownership has slipped away from the current generation. The Grattan Institute figures show that in 1986 over 58 per cent of the 25-34 age group were involved in home ownership; today it stands at less than 45 per cent. That means 55 per cent of the age group are involved in the rental market – hundreds of millions, each year, tied up in the Rental Bond Market. Unfortunately, over one third of those bonds are not returned, at the discretion of real estate agents. There are more than ten million people renting in Australia and with the longest lease being one year in length, many people are moving all the time and a lot of money is vanishing into the black hole of a real estate agent’s perception of cleanliness. A professional cleaning service can simply mean having a drain cleaned rather than throwing money down it. Whizz is a platform that uses professional contract cleaners and has been doing end of tenancy cleaning since 2014. It is available Australia wide and you can download the Whizz app and make a booking very easily. You can speak with a customer service operator 7 days a week.

Who hasn’t been on the end of a real estate agent’s nit picking regarding wear and tear and accidents that can occur which are out of your hands and not your fault. You should not be penalised for this. It’s always a nervous wait to see if the vacated premises is of a standard the landlord is happy with, considering that the term ‘clean’ as mentioned is subjective. Often it involves back and forth dialogue depending on who you are dealing with. That is why it is always important to fill in the condition report carefully. This enables a comparison of the condition the property is in at the start of the tenancy and at the end of the tenancy. Without this, it can be a battle to prove that any damage did take place before moving in. Sharon tells of her frustration on vacating a rental recently when the real estate agent complained of a stain on the carpet. She had reported it at the time of moving in. However, the real estate agency had changed hands and was now under new management. The leak in the toilet caused the carpet to stain, something that was beyond her control and should have been factored in, but instead it meant she had to again prove that it was not her fault. She had the carpet professionally cleaned but the stain still remained. Had she not had it professionally cleaned she said it would have been more of a battle to get her bond back. Luckily she still had the emails she sent to the real estate agency five years previously informing them of the stain from the leaking toilet.

Vacating a premises is often hurried and very stressful. Whizz cleaners have a professional relationship with real estate agencies and therefore know the specific areas to target with end of tenancy cleaning and guarantee that you will get your bond back. If there is an area deemed unclean by a landlord or real estate agency they will return within 24 hours to address this. Whizz cleaners come equipped with their own cleaning equipment and products, which make it so much easier, particularly when you are moving out. The prices are fixed and there are no hidden fees. Everything included in the clean is clearly set out on the website and you don’t have to be around for a clean if that is your preference. All Whizz contractors have been police checked and are insured so that should give you peace of mind.

What does a Professional Cleaning Company offer?

Using a professional cleaning company means less stress and more time

Professional Cleaning Services offer to cater for the swiftly altering face of the suburbs of Australia. Such vicinities have changed beyond recognition in the last twenty years as have the requirements and demands of the residents. People are pushed for time in a way that would frankly be incomprehensible a mere twenty years ago. Every aspect of our lives has seismically shifted and the way we choose to spend our leisure time has had to accommodate this fact.

Whizz is a platform that employs professional cleaners who are all police checked and insured and come equipped with the correct equipment and products to clean effectively. They offer residential cleans as well as commercial cleans and started as a professional cleaning company in 2014.

In 1998/99, the Australian Bureau of Statistics first published information on the cleaning business, with the listing of 5,900 businesses from sole traders to national companies involved in cleaning. This was to cater for a population of 18.7 million. Fast track those figures to 2019 and we have over an astonishing 15,000 companies to cater for a population of 25 million. For an increase in population of 30 per cent we have a 300 percent rise in cleaning companies. That’s a ratio of ten to one.

It doesn’t mean Australians have become ten times more slovenly, it indicates that we now factor in domestic cleaning services to make more available time for our own life pursuits. In 1998 our lifestyle choices were along the lines of that in every shopping strip the largest shop was a Blockbuster video store usually housed in an old converted movie theatre, another indicator of our ever changing lifestyle, and nearby a VHS repair shop.

In 2019 you won’t find a VHS repairman anywhere, and if you want a Blockbuster video store there is only one left. The catch is you will have to go to the city of Bend, Oregan USA to visit it. Times change. Nowadays we enjoy a night in on Netflix and Uber Eats, as our time is precious, and now in unprecedented numbers we hire professional cleaning services so that, as much as can be, our time is our own.

There is a lot to cleaning a residence. Most of us envisage a quick vacuum and a mop once around the kitchen area. A professional service offers steam cleaning, which apart from being a superior clean, also removes all odours, even pet odours. Balconies, fridges and other overlooked areas can be negotiated into or out of your personalised cleaning contract, be that a one off clean, regular or semi-regular clean, or guaranteed bond back cleaning job. Apart from being Australia’s only same day service cleaning contractor, Whizz guarantees that if you are in any way displeased with the quality of its workmanship, they will happily organise for the residence to be cleaned to your satisfaction completely free of charge to you. Whizz upholds its standards.

A lot of people look to use professional cleaning companies for end-of-lease cleans and Whizz offers this service. It’s so much easier to employ the services of someone who knows the right areas to clean to ensure you get your bond back. Whizz has a professional relationship with many real estate agents and therefore understands what the expectations are for the return of your bond.

Whizz offers same day cleanings, called ‘on demand’ cleans. Whizz is flexible, and if there is something else you require they are happy to accommodate this. Whizz is a company that realises the importance of customer satisfaction. They encourage feedback to garner an understanding of what it is people require.

There is an easy to download app that is available via Google Play or through Apple. You can book it all using this as well as check out everything about Whizz. All the costings are transparent with no hidden costs.

I chose to have my home cleaned regularly after much trepidation and it is the best thing I ever did to have someone maintain my house. It has duly taken the pressure off having to buy cleaning products, not to mention the time consumed in cleaning the house myself, especially when there are so many other things I need to get done. In the past I used to put off cleaning until the next day, and then the next, and the thought of it became overwhelming, not only because there were other things I needed to accomplish, but there just didn’t seem to be enough hours in the day. Finally I gave in and got a cleaner and now I don’t have to worry about dusting and vacuuming and mopping. I can do the other housework and it is so lovely to come home to a beautifully cleaned and fresh smelling house. I just leave the key out, that time spent cleaning I’ve got back, and I get to accomplish the other necessities that need doing.

As stated above, Whizz cleaners are all police checked and insured, they are reliable, and if there are any extra area that you want cleaned you can just leave a note or talk to someone in the office which is manned 7 days a week. Whizz does commercial cleans as well and all the information is available on their website on exactly what is included in a clean. They are available Australia wide and all their cleaners have gone through rigorous tests and have at least one year’s experience cleaning. There are also discounts available, so it is worth checking out their website. Choosing a professional cleaning company such as Whizz has been the best choice I have made. My house is now maintained to such a great standard and I don’t have to worry about getting the vacuum cleaner out anymore. As well, I don’t have to be at home whilst the clean is taking place. More time and less stress.

Benefits of supporting the gig economy

The Gig Economy is here to stay.

It is the buzz word of every analyst and pundit of the last few years, but what exactly is the ‘gig’ economy? Well, it has occurred as a direct result of what is called macroeconomics, otherwise known as globalism, which has produced a world of two types of people – those who are money-rich and time-poor and those with no money.

The gig economy has created a niche market place that is of mutual benefit to both employer and employee. Workers take on independently contracted and at times short term gigs rather than long term permanent employment for a variety of reasons that suit their lifestyle. No longer does the term ‘gig’ just apply to the roving musician going from gig to gig. The digital arena has been instrumental in creating an evolving workforce, as well as the drive from a generation that are looking for the work/life balance.

Since the global financial crisis there has been an increase in the amount of contract, temporary and freelance work, and figures have shown that between 2014 and 2015 over 4.1 million people have worked in the gig economy. It is the fastest growing sector of the economy as the mindset of the workforce has changed.

Also known as the ‘on-demand economy’, and the ‘collaborative economy’, it has allowed more people, to gain work. Think of a retiree who wants to work a couple of days, or the person who is new to the country, has the right skills and is available to work straight away. The climate reflects the changing attitudes to service and there is a sense that what you want is now easier to obtain in a timely manner. There are countless ‘on demand’ services around and many more emerging. If you think of things like ‘Uber eats’ as an example of how people are outsourcing to help them effectively in their daily lives. You can find someone to pick up your dry cleaning, to drop off alcohol for the party taking place the next day and you haven’t time to leave the office or home. There is someone you can source to walk the dog. This can be done so easily, and there is an App for everything. People have become adept at multi-tasking. No longer do you have to physically go into a bank or post office to pay your bills. Download an App to get your groceries delivered. The time it takes to drive to the shops, to line up and get your food for the week for many is a nightmare and takes them away from other necessary tasks that need to be accomplished.

Whizz is a platform that embodies the gig economy and can supply a highly skilled and adaptable workforce to accommodate your requirements. It has been in operation since 2014, and is the only same day cleaning service available Australian wide.

A survey by Air Tasker revealed that eighty per cent of Australians found traditional workplace hours were inflexible and a negative constraint on their lifestyle. For this reason having a platform where someone can take on work in between school hours is the perfect solution for many, who strengthen the workforce and are part of a business model that values their skills and pays them accordingly.

A study at the University of Chicago found that ‘flexibility rather than hours or income, has the largest impact on satisfaction of employees’. Having the flexibility to work hours and choose work that suits your lifestyle makes for a more productive and efficient workforce. It is not just a myth that working less hours makes people more productive. It also allows for more time to pursue other things that people are passionate about but haven’t been able to because of work constraints. It gives people greater autonomy. They aren’t worked to death, and that satisfaction trickles down.

You can download the Whizz App via Apple or Google Play in under a minute for a convenient way to book your house clean. The App is easy to navigate – you can pick a date, the type of service you require and the fixed pricing. Whizz contractors offer a broad spectrum of services in the retail, medical, hospitality and industrial sector. All contractors come with their own equipment and cleaning products.

If it is a one-off clean you are after, or you are moving house and need your bond back, Whizz can help. Their website clearly states what is included in a residential home clean or an end-of-lease clean. There are no hidden costs and the flexibility of using this platform allows for specialised requests to address any situation. Perhaps you want a particular product used to clean your apartment or there are extra areas needing attention. You can customise your clean. If you decide to have recurring cleans there are great discounts available.

The core value of Whizz is ‘customer satisfaction’ and any dissatisfaction will be personally attended to within 24 hours. All cleaners have met the high standards that Whizz require and feedback is essential to measure the ever changing needs of the customer. With end-of-lease cleans, knowing where and what to clean is something Whizz understand through their working relationship with real estate agents and property managers.

There is someone available 7 days a week to take your call. If you have just had a party and need your place cleaned in a hurry or you want regular cleaning options, the Whizz platform is right for you. If you don’t want to be around for your clean it doesn’t matter, or if you want to have the same cleaner come, then Whizz is for you.

In moving forward, the gig economy has become the modern template for those wanting more control over their environment. Nature insists on change and once change has come, things cannot revert. The gig economy is here and now. In our society it would be unthinkable not to have the likes of Uber and Airbnb, and thirty percent of Australians are free agents choosing this sort of lifestyle.

Home Cleaning – What if things go wrong?

Why your happiness is important

Disregarding ‘how to be a millionaire in three weeks and a swath of Nigerian Princes’, the internet provides numerous services that offer customer satisfaction, but if you opt for a service like Home Cleaning – What if things go wrong?

Even with only a cursory review of recent articles it becomes apparent that sometimes what is advertised and glorified in cyberspace can be disparate from reality. It is often a rudimentary process to ensure that in reality you get what you paid for. Many Australians have recently taken to employing a domestic cleaning service. This is no longer considered to be a luxury, rather a pragmatic solution to domestic bliss in the hectic and time constrained 21st Century. If you decide to have cleaners and opt for a service such as Home Cleaning – What if things go wrong? We all know things can go wrong, so knowing what measures are in place if you find yourself in some sort of predicament is a prerequisite to choosing the right company or service.

Whizz employs professional cleaners who take pride in their work. They come equipped with their own cleaning equipment and cleaning products so you do not have to supply a thing. Many of our clients choose to have regular cleans and build relationships with our contractors who get to know their house and what is required to maintain it. Under their frequently asked questions for Home Cleaning – What if things go wrong? You will see that Whizz is flexible and hopes to solve any problem that may arise. We are upfront with exactly what it is we offer and this can all be found on our website or by contacting one of our customer service advisors who are more than happy to help.

To avoid confusion, it is important to understand what areas are included in your home clean as well as knowing what is not. For example, removing pet faeces is not part of our service, nor is moving heavy objects and furniture. Unblocking your toilet is not in the agreement either. However, what drives Whizz is ‘customer satisfaction’ and we endeavour to make you happy. We are flexible and are always looking for ways to improve. If there is an area we have cleaned with which you are not completely satisfied you can take a photo and send it to us though any of our ‘contact us’ buttons on our easy to navigate website or via our mobile app. This can be downloaded through Google Play or the Apple store.

In hiring domestic cleaners it is quite reasonable to expect all carpet and floor space be vacuumed and mopped and the shower and toilet areas be disinfected. Dusting should also be inclusive. Some disagreements relate to perception – was it cleaned enough? Or why wasn’t a particular area cleaned? Feedback is an integral part of our platform; we have been in operation since 2014, have cleaned over 40,000 houses, and are always looking at ways to improve.

Common disappointments regarding home cleaning are that the area was not sufficiently cleaned, noise can pose problems, or what was included in the clean was ambiguous. Whizz, like any other company, values our customers and if you are not happy with any aspect of the clean, someone will come back and rectify the said problem. The services that are not included in your clean are clearly stated on our website and we offer extra services such as ‘cleaning the fridge, the balcony, cupboards, pantry and oven.’ There is also the option to have your carpet steam cleaned as an ‘extra service.’ Some people prefer a particular product to be used to clean their floor for example. Whizz understands and are more than happy to facilitate this. Just let us know and we can ensure your preferred product is used.

It is important to understand that just one clean is unlikely to produce ‘brochure perfect’ pictures. This can take a couple of cleans, but with regularity it is guaranteed. Of course our employees as they become more accustomed to the particular environment become more effective. There is a high standard the contractors have to meet before cleaning with Whizz. We also like to keep up to date with the current cleaning methods and equipment on the market.

Whizz also offers an ‘on demand’ service; perhaps you need a same day clean because you have people coming over the next day and you have not had time to clean the mess up from the party you had on the weekend. We offer this service and are able to provide you with an approximate time of arrival. This is all set out clearly on the website. You are quite within your rights to cancel your booking and reschedule and be refunded – just give us 24 hours’ notice. Once you have booked a clean with Whizz, you will be sent an SMS to confirm the details of your booking, plus an email with the receipt of your payment. You can also view your account online through the Whizz website. A lot of people like to use the app which is easy to download, and the beauty is, you can arrange all of this via your mobile phone without having to speak with anyone. All Whizz cleaners have been cleaning for at least one year, are insured and police checked. We regularly carry out quality assurance checks on properties to ensure our high standard is adhered to. Our prices are fixed so one of our professionals will clean until your house looks sparkling. It is your choice as to whether you would like to be around for the clean. Your happiness is the most important thing to us, so if you are concerned when booking a service like Home Cleaning, rest assured if things go wrong, as they sometimes do, there is always someone you can speak to who, will try and address the problem.