Who Is Responsible for Cleaning Balcony Balustrades and External Windows During Move-Out from Perth High-Rise Apartments?

The Legal Answer: Understanding WA Tenancy Law on Exterior Cleaning

Clean within the bounds of your legal and safe access to the cleaning surface. This is the most valuable part of the explanation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 and thus the most significant part of your responsibilities.

• Interior-Facing Surfaces of the Balcony: Your Responsibility
• Exterior-Facing Surfaces That Require Specialized Equipment: Management Responsibility
• Safety Critical Surfaces: Not Your Responsibility If Risk Is In Accessing Them

Understanding complete vacate cleaning obligations for Perth tenants under WA tenancy law helps you focus on avoiding unnecessary cleaning effort.

Balcony Balustrade Cleaning: Your Responsibilities

What You MUST Clean

Interior-Facing Balustrade Surfaces Accessible From Within Your Balcony:

• All the glass panel surfaces that are facing into your balcony
• Top rails and handrails on all sides
• Inner-facing either metal, timber, or composite section of the balustrade
• All surfaces that are accessible and have marks, handprints, or grime on them
• Balustrade bases and all connection points

To avoid streaking on the glass, use the appropriate glass cleaner. For the metal or timber rails, an all-purpose cleaner is appropriate, and use microfiber cloths.

What You Aren’t Responsible For

Balustrade Faces Facing Outward:

• Glass panel faces that can only be accessed from outside the building
• Sections of the building facade that are protected by ropes and scaffolds
• Any part that requires you to reach over or climb over a railing

“In Perth’s high-rise buildings, the exterior-facing surface of a balustrade that can only be cleaned by someone abseiling down the building is building management’s responsibility, not the tenant’s,” explains Rachel Miller, our Senior Bond Cleaning Specialist for Perth’s Western Region.

Exception: You are responsible for cleaning the part of the exterior-facing balustrade that you can reach from standing safely inside the balcony, using a cloth or tool.

External Windows

Interior Windows: Always Your Responsibility

You must clean:

• All interior glass surfaces (make sure to achieve a streak-free finish)
• Interior window frames, all sides and edges
• Interior window sills—remove dust, marks, dead insects
• Window tracks by vacuuming debris and wiping with a damp cloth
• Window hardware: handles, locks, hinges, and flyscreens (if removable, clean and reinstall properly)

These tasks are not optional in any professional end of lease cleaning checklist for Perth rental properties.

External Windows: What You Must vs. Shouldn’t Clean

You ARE responsible when:

• Ground floor apartments: Glass panes that can be cleaned by standing on the ground
• Low-level windows: External surfaces you can safely reach from the inside with an extendable squeegee
• Balcony sliding doors: Glass panes that can be accessed from your balcony without any risk
• Tilt-and-turn windows: Surfaces that can be cleaned when the window is tilted and the inside is exposed

You are NOT responsible when:

• Above ground floor with no safe access: Windows that require you to lean out to an extent that is dangerous
• Fixed windows: Permanently sealed windows that do not allow any cleaning from the outside
• Windows requiring specialized equipment: Any surface that is cleaned with scaffolding, rope access, or extension ladders
• Safety risk present: Any situation where cleaning poses risk of falling or injury

The Safety Rule Overrides Everything

Do not engage in dangerous cleaning of external windows. This includes leaning out, climbing onto window sills, standing on furniture, or working in poor weather. Understanding why real estate agents request professional cleaning receipts helps clarify their expectations around safety and accessibility.

Lease Agreements and Strata Bylaws

Take a Look at Your Lease

Your lease might contain some additional requirements that aren’t included in standard WA tenancy law. Look for any requirements that specify:

1. “Professional cleaning required for all external surfaces”
2. “Property must be returned to original condition”
3. “Tenant responsible for balcony maintenance”
4. “Building management handles external facade cleaning”

Premium apartments in suburbs like luxury bond cleaning for Cottesloe beachfront properties and high-end Claremont residential vacate cleaning services might specify professional cleaning for all accessible surface windows and for external cleaning.

Considering Strata Bylaws

Perth’s high-rise apartments under strata title come with legislation that can either greatly reduce or greatly increase your cleaning duties. Clarity on strata building common area cleaning rules for Perth bond cleaning obligations stops arguments over surfaces you are not legally responsible for.

Note: If strata bylaws legally prohibit cleaning external facades for safety reasons, you cannot be expected to clean those sections, even if your property manager asks.

Prior to the final inspection:

1. Ask your property manager to provide the relevant strata bylaws
2. Inquire about the cleaning boundary between your lot and the common property
3. Clarify the safety restrictions around external access
4. Note any building rules preventing tenants from cleaning external surfaces

Practical Cleaning Checklist

Balcony Cleaning (Your Responsibility)

1. Balcony floor: Give it a thorough sweeping and mop or pressure wash it, if applicable
2. Interior balustrade glass: Clean and polish both sides by using a glass cleaner until it is streak-free
3. Balustrade top rails and handrails: Wipe and polish the entire length to eliminate all streaks
4. Walls: Wipe the interior balcony walls and polish to remove all marks
5. Drainage points: Remove leaves and other debris to maintain proper drainage
6. Balcony door tracks: Vacuum to remove debris and wipe the tracks with a damp cloth
7. Light fittings: Clean any outdoor light fittings that are within reach

Exterior portions: Use a long cleaning cloth or soft brush to safely reach from the inside to clean the exterior balustrade surfaces.

Window Cleaning (Your Responsibility)

1. Interior glass: Clean until completely streak-free using quality glass cleaner
2. Window frames: Wipe all interior frame surfaces and edges and clean the corners
3. Window sills: Dust, clean accrued marks, and remove all dead pests
4. Window tracks: Vacuum (this is very important). Wipe with a damp cloth
5. Window hardware: Clean all handles, locks, and hinges
6. Flyscreens: Detach, wash, dry, and reinstall properly

Accessible external surfaces: Clean external glass on the ground floor, use extendable squeegee on accessible parts from inside, and wash balcony sliding door exteriors from outside on the balcony.

Essential Tools

• Quality glass cleaner and all-purpose cleaner
• Microfiber cloths (multiple)
• Extendable window squeegee with handle
• Bucket with warm water
• Vacuum cleaner (for tracks and debris)
• Soft-bristled brush

Do NOT use: Abrasive cleaners on glass surfaces and metal, extension ladders on balconies, or any equipment that requires dangerous climbing or leaning.

Unreasonable Demands from Property Managers

Examples of Unreasonable Requests

Occasionally, property managers will ask for:

• Cleaning of exterior windows and screens on floors above the second floor without explaining how it will be done safely
• Cleaning of external balustrades and windows needing rope access or scaffolding
• Cleaning the building facade and windows on the floor above your balcony
• Professional exterior window cleaning when your lease doesn’t specifically require it

Suggested Responses

Step 1: Document and Clarify

• Ask for clarification in writing about which surfaces they expect to be cleaned
• Ask how they plan to gain safe access to the surfaces
• Point to your lease regarding their cleaning obligations

Step 2: Provide Evidence

• Cite parts of the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 that pertain to your argument
• Cite strata bylaws and their external access restrictions
• Provide your entry condition report

Step 3: Stand Firm on Safety

• Refusing to clean risky surfaces will be expected
• Explain why certain surfaces can’t be cleaned
• Indicate, “I can’t access this surface without specialized equipment”

If bond deductions occur for surfaces you couldn’t safely access:

1. Dispute immediately in writing within 7 days
2. Include your documentation
3. Ask for an itemized report explaining the specific deduction
4. Seek Consumer Protection WA mediation if necessary

When to Hire Professional Cleaning Services

Think About Engaging Professionals When

1. Your lease requires professional cleaning for windows or balconies
2. You live in a premium building and have windows and balconies
3. You do not have the right tools or equipment (extendable cleaning tools, professional-grade cleaners, etc.)
4. You do not have enough time to clean thoroughly for the move-out
5. You want a bond protection guarantee that covers the accessible exterior surfaces
6. For a coastal property, the concentration of salt spray on surfaces

Coastal apartments especially benefit from specialized bond cleaning services to protect deposits from salt damage.

Typical Perth Pricing

• Extended balcony cleaning: $60-100
• Professional window cleaning (all accessible surfaces): $80-150
• Premium high-rise package: $140-250 additional to standard bond cleaning

In comparison to bond deductions of $300-500 for failing to clean the accessible surfaces adequately.

Documentation: Your Best Defense

Pre-Move-In

• Photograph all balcony surfaces from multiple angles
• Document existing marks, weathering, or damage on balustrades
• Photograph interior and accessible exterior window conditions
• Note any obviously inaccessible surfaces in your condition report

Move-Out

• Photograph all cleaned balcony surfaces (floor, rails, glass panels)
• Capture all interior windows showing clean, streak-free glass
• Document accessible exterior surfaces you’ve cleaned
• Take photos of inaccessible surfaces with notes explaining why they couldn’t be accessed safely
• Include date/time stamps on all photos

Create Your Evidence File

Organize a digital folder containing:

1. Original entry condition report with your notes
2. Pre-cleaning photos (dated upon move-in)
3. Post-cleaning photos (dated after completion)
4. Any correspondence about cleaning expectations
5. Professional cleaning receipts (if applicable)
6. Relevant sections of your lease agreement
7. Strata bylaws regarding external access
8. Photos of building signage about external cleaning restrictions

Professional Bond Cleaning from Majestic Vacate Cleaning Perth

At Majestic Vacate Cleaning Perth, we specialize in high-rise apartment cleaning throughout the Perth metropolitan area, understanding exactly what surfaces tenants can and cannot be held responsible for.

Services Included in Our High-Rise Window Cleaning Package

• All interior windows, frames, tracks, sills, and bordering areas are thoroughly cleaned
• All exterior windows up to the qualified distance and height are cleaned with a water-fed pole
• All surfaces of the balcony, including partitions, are cleaned
• The inside and safe outside of the railings are cleaned, including the outside glass
• Balcony glass and sliding tracks are cleaned
• Inaccessible areas needing the attention of building management are noted in writing

Our 14-Day Bond Back Guarantee

We provide written documentation of surfaces cleaned to professional standards, surfaces requiring building management intervention (with photos), and clear scope clarifications to property managers.

Our guarantee protects your bond for all surfaces within legitimate tenant cleaning responsibilities.

Service Coverage Across Perth

We cover all high-rise buildings in the Perth metropolitan area, including:

• Professional Perth CBD vacate cleaning for high-rise apartments
• East Perth luxury apartment end of lease cleaning services
• Scarborough beachside high-rise bond cleaning specialists
• Fremantle waterfront apartment move-out cleaning experts
• South Perth riverside apartment vacate cleaning services

Key Takeaways

Your Clear Responsibilities

✅ All interior window surfaces, frames, tracks, and sills

✅ Interior-facing balcony balustrades (glass, rails, handrails)

✅ Balcony floors and interior-facing walls

✅ Accessible exterior surfaces within safe reach from inside

✅ Ground floor external windows

What’s NOT Your Responsibility

❌ Exterior building facades requiring rope access or scaffolding

❌ External balustrade faces accessible only from outside the building

❌ High-rise external windows with no safe access from inside

❌ Any surface requiring you to lean dangerously or climb

❌ Common property defined by strata bylaws

The Golden Rules

1. Safety overrides everything: Never risk injury to clean external surfaces
2. Document everything: Photos before and after cleaning protect your bond
3. Check your lease: Specific requirements may add obligations
4. Know strata bylaws: They often limit your access to external surfaces
5. Communicate clearly: Make sure all expectations are documented before the final inspection

Protect Your Bond: Contact Majestic Vacate Cleaning Perth

Confusion around external cleaning obligations should not cost you hundreds. At Majestic Vacate Cleaning Perth, we provide expert high-rise apartment cleaning that covers all your legitimate obligations with clear documentation of surfaces beyond tenant responsibility.

Contact us today:

📞 Phone: (08) 6185 0866

📧 Email: admin@majesticvacatecleaningperth.com.au

🌐 Website: majesticvacatecleaningperth.com.au

📍 Location: 39 Pavers Cir, Malaga WA 6090

Why Choose Our High-Rise Cleaning Service

• ✅ Expert knowledge of high-rise cleaning boundaries
• ✅ Professional equipment for safe external surface access
• ✅ Clear documentation of cleaned vs. inaccessible surfaces
• ✅ 14-day bond back guarantee
• ✅ Trusted by 50+ Perth real estate agencies
• ✅ Transparent communication with property managers

Book your professional high-rise apartment cleaning today and move out with confidence knowing your bond is protected.

This guide was prepared by Majestic Vacate Cleaning Perth’s expert team, specializing in end-of-lease cleaning for high-rise apartments throughout Perth. We understand WA tenancy law, strata requirements, and property manager expectations to ensure you receive your full bond back.