Short answer: for a routine inspection, carpets need to be vacuumed, free of new stains and odours, and undamaged. You generally do not need a professional clean for a routine inspection. A final inspection is different, and that is when most tenants book one.
*This is general information, not legal advice. For your rights and obligations, check your lease and Consumer and Business Services (CBS) SA.*
What a routine inspection is for
Routine inspections check that the property is being looked after and whether anything needs repair. In South Australia they happen a few times a year, with written notice.
For carpets, a property manager is looking for:
- new stains since the last inspection
- pet damage or odour
- burns, tears and lifted edges
- signs of damp or mould
Normal flattening in walkways is fair wear and tear.
Your carpet checklist
- Vacuum everything, including edges, corners and under beds.
- Treat fresh marks with cool water and a little clear dishwashing liquid. Blot, do not rub.
- Deal with odours. Air the house, wash pet bedding, and treat any accidents with an enzyme cleaner. See pet urine smell.
- Check under rugs and pot plants for damp patches or marks.
- Note any damage that was already there and have your ingoing report handy.
- Report problems you did not cause, such as damp along walls or carpet lifting at doorways, in writing. See musty carpet and salt damp.
When a professional clean is worth it mid-tenancy
- A spill has left a mark you cannot shift
- A pet has had accidents
- You have lived there more than a year and want the place fresh
- You want a record that carpets were maintained
Keeping carpets clean during the tenancy makes the final clean easier and cheaper.
The final inspection
At the end of a lease, carpets are compared with the ingoing report. Book the carpet clean last, after the furniture is out and the rest of the cleaning is done, and allow time to dry. Ask for an invoice.
See end of lease carpet cleaning, our carpet cleaning service, and the suburbs we cover.
FAQs
Do I need to steam clean carpets for a routine inspection?
Generally no. Vacuumed, stain-free and odour-free is what matters.
Can a landlord make me pay for worn carpet?
Fair wear and tear from normal use is not the tenant’s cost. Stains and damage beyond that can be.
How do I prove a stain was already there?
Your ingoing inspection report and dated photos. Keep both for the whole tenancy.
