Moving out of a rental property is always a significant milestone, but there’s one crucial step that stands between you and your bond money—bond cleaning. Whether you’re a first-time tenant or a seasoned renter, understanding what bond cleaning entails can make the difference between getting your full deposit back and facing unexpected deductions.
What is Bond Cleaning?
Bond cleaning, also known as end-of-lease cleaning or exit cleaning, is a professional-grade, thorough cleaning service performed when you vacate a rental property. Unlike your regular weekly tidy-up, bond cleaning involves deep cleaning every corner of the property to restore it to the same condition it was in when you first moved in, accounting for fair wear and tear.
The term “bond” refers to the security deposit—typically equivalent to four weeks’ rent in Australia—that tenants pay at the beginning of their tenancy. This amount is held in trust by the relevant tenancy authority and is only returned once the property passes the final inspection.
Why Bond Cleaning Matters
According to the Residential Tenancies Act across Australian states, tenants are legally required to return the property in a reasonably clean condition. This isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a contractual and legal obligation outlined in your lease agreement.
Failing to meet the expected cleaning standards can result in significant bond deductions or, in worst-case scenarios, complete forfeiture of your deposit. The Tenancy Deposit Scheme reports that over half of all tenancy disputes concern cleaning issues, making it one of the most common reasons tenants lose their bond money.
What Does a Comprehensive Bond Clean Include?
A thorough bond cleaning checklist covers every area of your rental property. Here’s what professional cleaners—and you, if you’re doing it yourself—need to address:
General Living Areas and Bedrooms: Every room requires meticulous attention. This includes dusting and wiping down all surfaces, skirting boards, and window sills, vacuuming and mopping all floors, cleaning inside and outside of wardrobes and cupboards, removing cobwebs from ceilings and corners, wiping doors and handles, and cleaning light fittings and switches.
Kitchen Deep Clean: The kitchen is often the most scrutinized area during final inspections. You’ll need to thoroughly clean the oven, stovetop, rangehood, and exhaust fan, degrease and wipe down all cupboards and drawers inside and out, remove buildup from splashbacks and benchtops, sanitize the sink and taps, deep clean appliances like the fridge and dishwasher, and ensure floors are spotless.
Bathroom and Toilet Detailing: Bathrooms require special attention to remove accumulated grime. This involves scrubbing shower screens, tiles, and grout thoroughly, cleaning the bathtub, basin, and taps until they shine, wiping mirrors and cabinetry, disinfecting the toilet inside and out, removing soap scum, mould, and limescale, and mopping and disinfecting floors.
DIY or Professional Bond Cleaning?
Many tenants wonder whether to tackle bond cleaning themselves or hire professionals. Professional bond cleaners bring experience in meeting property manager expectations, specialized equipment like carpet steam cleaners, and often provide a bond-back guarantee with free re-clean within 72 hours if issues arise.
However, if you choose the DIY route, ensure you have the right equipment and allow plenty of time—bond cleaning typically takes multiple days. You’ll need items like vacuum cleaners, mops, carpet steam cleaners, oven cleaning products, sugar soap, squeegees, and a ladder.
Common Mistakes That Cost Tenants Their Bond
Property managers frequently report that tenants overlook certain areas during bond cleaning. The most commonly missed items include rangehood filters, skirting boards and doorframes, window tracks, exhaust fans, areas behind and under appliances, and light switches and fittings.
Paying attention to these small details significantly increases your chances of passing the final inspection and securing your full bond refund.
Understanding Fair Wear and Tear
It’s important to remember that bond cleaning focuses on cleanliness, not repairs. Tenants aren’t responsible for damage caused by fair wear and tear—such as faded paint or worn carpet in high-traffic areas that naturally occurs over time. However, stains, burns, scorch marks, or deliberate damage fall outside this category and may result in deductions.
The Bond Refund Process
Once your bond clean is complete, the landlord or property manager will conduct a final inspection. They’ll compare the property’s current condition with the entry condition report you completed when you moved in. If the property meets the required standards, they’ll file a bond claim form, and your deposit will be returned. If there are disputes, you have the right to challenge deductions through your state’s tenancy tribunal.
Final Thoughts
Bond cleaning doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you know what’s expected. Whether you hire professionals or tackle it yourself, following a comprehensive checklist and addressing every area of the property will maximize your chances of receiving your full bond refund. Remember to document everything with photographs, start early to avoid last-minute stress, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help if needed by bond cleaning.
