My landlord made ridiculous demand for a routine property inspection – everyone’s saying the same thing
A MUM-of-five was left horrified after her landlord delivered a list of “insane” demands to be completed before a routine inspection.
The woman, from Victoria, Australia, was outrageously handed a 32-point plan to meticulously clean and de-clutter her family home.
She was left stunned by the strict instructions that even ridiculously suggested getting the carpets “professionally cleaned”.
The brood were warned the property must be “generally clean and tidy with everything put in its place.”
The baffled mum was left questioning if her landlord was serious about the barmy requests, so turned to other renters for advice.
She shared the list she received in a private Facebook group, asking people if this was typical for a standard check-up on the property.
In the post, titled “what to expect during a routine inspection”, the Aussie wanted to find out if this was “normal”, news.com.au reports.
The woman wrote: “It seems like a very long list. I do have five young children and my home is lived in not for display purposes.”
It detailed the tasks she should spend time on in each room, which ordered the mum to scrub, dust and disinfect until the place was spotless.
To add to the pressure, the woman claimed she was told the inspection had been pushed forward to the next day rather than the following week which was originally scheduled.
It meant the mum somehow needed her home to look pristine by “9am tomorrow morning” – when she had just 14 hours left to do it.
She was left with the impossible challenge of cleaning her house from top to bottom, without missing any nooks and crannies.
The list informed her that she had to “clean all exhaust fans throughout the property”, wash the walls with sugar soap and hose off flyscreens.
Other absurd requests included sprucing up the oven, dusting tops of cupboards, cleaning window tracks “thoroughly” and getting any speck of mildew off the grout in her bathroom.
The mum was also sternly told “all garbage bins had to be emptied and washed clean”.
As well as this, the tenant said the landlord “strongly recommended” that soiled carpets were “professionally cleaned” ahead of the inspection.
The list stated: The purpose of the routine inspection is to accurately report back to the owner of the condition of the property and if maintenance or improvement are required.
“During the inspection, it is important to us that we respect your privacy and quiet enjoyment.
“However, as part of the inspection process we will be required to look in cupboards and ensure that there are no leaks or dangerous hazards.
“To ensure that the routine inspection is a success with positive feedback we encourage you to take a moment to ensure that you have cleaned the following areas.”
The unbelievable list of commands was condemned by renters, who suggested it sounded more like an “exit clean” rather than a quick tidy.
One said: “Bins to be emptied and washed? What are you supposed to do if your bin is full and bin day isn’t for a few days? This is insane.”
Another wrote: “That’s ridiculous. They’re there to check the houses not people’s belongings, they don’t belong to the dang landlord the house does.”
A third added: “It’s ridiculous, I had one too. I’m a cleaner and expect it for an end of lease/bond clean not a standard inspection.”
And a fourth chimed in: “This is pretty much what most real estates are sending out now. Bond clean for a simple inspection.”
Others pointed out it was unfair for the landlord to change the date of the inspection so last minute.
According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, landlords must give the tenant “proper” notice that they will enter the property.
A general inspection requires at least seven days notice.
Renters are well within their rights to refuse entry if they have not received written notice, if notice was not “properly” given and if a general inspection has already been done in the last six months.
The rental crisis is currently causing massive headaches Down Under, as people struggle to afford the spiralling fees.
However, there is one place you can still bag for £600 a month if you satisfy a key demand – and can cope with the living arrangements.
One lucky person has the opportunity to live outside on a tarpaulin-covered balcony in central Sydney.
At half the median rate going for rentals in the city – this landlord is already receiving calls to fill his converted glass balcony pad.
The bargain deal was shared on Facebook on Monday along with some very specific requirements for his new garden tenant.
It must be a “boy” who moves in, and their nationality must be disclosed immediately.
A long with his listing, he attached a makeshift application to quiz his new roomie.
Another tenant previously told how they were given a ridiculous list of jobs to complete after a routine flat inspection.
The real estate agent instructed the anonymous renter to make their bed after being unimpressed by the tidiness.