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Getting a full bond back at the end of a lease usually comes down to one thing: how clean and undamaged the property looks compared with the original entry condition report. A thorough, room-by-room clean before your final inspection is one of the most effective ways to avoid disputes over cleaning-related deductions.
Start with your lease and condition report
Before you clean anything, pull out your original entry condition report and re-read it. It sets the standard you’re expected to return the property to (reasonably clean, not “brand new”), and it’s your best evidence if a dispute comes up later. Take dated, well-lit photos of every room once you’ve finished cleaning, including cupboards, skirting boards and any areas that were already noted as marked or worn when you moved in.
Kitchen
- Clean inside and outside the oven, including racks, trays and the griller
- Degrease the rangehood filter and exhaust fan
- Wipe down all cupboards inside and out, including tops of cupboards where dust and grease settle
- Clean the stovetop, including underneath removable elements
- Clean the sink, taps and splashback
- Wipe skirting boards, light switches and door handles
- Clean inside the fridge and dishwasher if these belong to the property
Bathroom and laundry
- Remove soap scum and any hard water marks from the shower screen and tiles
- Clean grout, being realistic about what will actually lift versus what was already discoloured at move-in
- Clean the toilet thoroughly, including the base and behind the cistern
- Wipe down the vanity, mirror and any cabinets
- Clean the exhaust fan cover
- Wipe down the washing machine and dryer, including the lint filter and detergent tray
Living areas and bedrooms
- Vacuum and, if required by your lease, steam clean carpets
- Mop hard floors and check skirting boards for scuffs that can be wiped off
- Wipe down all light switches, power points and door frames
- Clean inside built-in wardrobes, including shelves and tracks
- Dust light fittings, ceiling fans and blinds
- Wash or wipe down window tracks and sills
Windows and outdoor areas
- Clean windows inside and, where accessible safely, outside
- Sweep or hose down any balcony, courtyard or entryway
- Tidy the garden if the lease specifies you’re responsible for its upkeep, including mowing and clearing weeds
- Clean the letterbox and remove any cobwebs from eaves and entry areas
Easy things to forget
- Air conditioning filters, if you’ve had access to and used the unit
- Light globes, replacing any that have blown during the tenancy if your lease requires it
- Marks left by picture hooks or removable adhesive strips, which usually need to be filled or cleaned depending on the lease terms
- Garage or storage areas, which are often left until last and forgotten entirely
What you can safely do yourself versus when to book a professional
Most of this checklist is straightforward with standard household products and a bit of time. Where it gets harder is heavily soiled ovens, deeply stained carpets, or mould that has built up over a long tenancy. In these cases, a professional bond cleaner or carpet steam cleaner can be worth the cost, particularly if your lease specifically requires professional carpet cleaning, since many agents will ask for a receipt as proof.
Before you hand back the keys
Do a final walkthrough against your original condition report, photograph every room once cleaning is done, and keep those photos along with any receipts for professional cleaning or repairs. If a dispute over your bond does come up, this record is what protects you, not memory or good intentions on the day.
For a broader view of what’s involved in moving out and moving on, see our Moving & Renting hub for related guides.
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