How To Care For The Property You Live In

The following tips provide a guideline for caring for the home you are renting.

Follow these suggestions and you will enjoy a safer, healthier, more comfortable home.

1. Heat Pump

Regularly clean any filters and intake vents to ensure there is no build up of dirt and dust. This is very simple and only takes a few minutes and may save you money if it’s running efficiently.

• Open the cover and remove the filter
• Vacuum filter on both sides
• Replace filter and close cover

2. Rubbish

All rubbish must be removed from the property on a regular basis, including lawn clippings. Rubbish must be put out the night before or on collection day only and not prior to. This will avoid any ravaging of rubbish bags.

3. Showers

Glass showers need to be wiped down with a squeegee every time they are used. This avoids a build up of soap residue. All showers need to be cleaned weekly. Exit mould will keep all rubbers and the corners of the showers from mould. Build up of hair must be removed from the shower outlet.

4. Smoke Alarms

Batteries are never to be removed from the smoke alarms. Should you believe for any reason the smoke alarms are not working, please let us know immediately! This is for your safety. Removing smoke alarms or batteries may result in a $3,000 fine.

5. Exhaust Fans/Vents and Range Hoods

Ensure range hood filters, vents and exhaust fans are kept clean and free of grime build up. 

6. Incense and Candles

For fire and safety reasons never leave burning candles or incense burning unattended.

7. Mould

Mould and mildew can be hazardous for your health by causing allergies and illness.

• Keep areas dry. If condensation forms on the windows or walls, dry it off with a towel immediately. If condensation is not seen to on a daily basis, it can cause damp carpets, black spotting on nets and drapes and the ceiling.

• Keep windows open to ventilate the home as much as possible.

• Keep drapes and curtains open to let sunlight in. Sunlight will help kill off the mould and mildew spores. Fresh air will help dry out any damp surfaces.

• Keep the windows open while showering and cooking.

• Keep pots covered on the stove - always use the extractor fan.

• Keep mattresses off the ground.

• Avoid drying laundry indoors.

   

To remove mildew:

• Use 1 part bleach to 4 parts water. (One tablespoon of bleach in one full cup warm water).
• Wear gloves, wipe off and let stand for five to ten minutes.
• Wipe off and rinse well with warm water.
• Always follow instructions on the bottle of the product that you are using.
• Do not leave on any surfaces longer than 15 minutes or you will risk discolouring and bleaching the surface.

8. Waste Disposal Unit

If the waste master does not work, press the release switch on the waste disposal unit and if it still does not work, contact your property manager.

9. Curtain Washing

Most curtains and nets are machine washable but it is very important that this be established before you was any curtains.  Please check the labels first. Sun-damaged, brittle curtains or nets may disintegrate in the wash so check the strength of the fabric before washing.

Thermal drapes can only be washed in cold water.

10. Carpet Cleaning and Stain Removal

When the inevitable spill happens, the best thing you can do is act immediately. Once the stain is allowed to set, it is much harder to remove. 

Liquid Stains

Apply a dry white kitchen paper towel to blot up the liquid by pressing straight down on the carpet. DO NOT RUB. Repeat until the carpet is dry. If the area is still stained, moisten another white kitchen paper towel with warm, slightly soapy water and blot. Repeat until the stain has gone. Do a final blot with another dry paper towel. Do Not Rub. Pressed chamois blocks (Slurpees) are also very useful for blotting up large liquid stains. These are available from most supermarkets.

Solid Stains

Food etc: scrape the soiled area with the blunt edge of a spoon to remove the material. Scrape from the outside edge of the stain towards the centre.  Then apply dry white kitchen paper towels as used on liquid stains (above).

Three simple rules:

1. Act immediately
2. Never rub the stained area
3. Call a professional to remove difficult or unusual stains

We recommend professional steam cleaning as the use of ‘do-it-yourself’ hire machines may not achieve the standard of ‘reasonably clean and tidy’, in which case the landlord may need to bring it up to standard at your expense.