The Ultimate End of Lease Cleaning Checklist in 2025

When the lease is about to expire, the tenant’s top priority is to get the rental property well cleaned because this is necessary to recover the security deposit. Because no one wants to deal with the stress of end of lease cleaning checklist in addition to the preparation for moving, many choose to engage a professional bond cleaning business in Australia.

If you do decide to get your hands dirty and do the cleaning yourself, just make sure you clean every inch of the house, from the bedroom and bathroom to the kitchen and garage.

And for that, you need an end of lease cleaning checklist, similar to the one used by expert bond cleaners to meet criteria. Here is a list of the items you must fully clean in order to receive your bond back.

What is an End of Lease Cleaning Checklist, and Why is it Important for Tenants in Australia?

In the realm of renting, an end of lease cleaning checklist is a critical tool for tenants. Essentially, this checklist is a detailed guide that outlines all the cleaning tasks required to restore a property to its original state before moving out. It serves as a roadmap, highlighting everything from scrubbing kitchen cabinets to steam cleaning carpets, ensuring that no corner is overlooked.

Why It’s Essential for Tenants:

1. Full Bond Refund: One of the primary reasons tenants in Australia prioritize this checklist is to secure their bond money back. By meticulously following the checklist, tenants can meet their landlord’s expectations, reducing the risk of deductions from their security deposit.
2. Compliance with Lease Agreements: Most lease agreements stipulate that properties must be left in a clean and tidy condition. A thorough checklist helps tenants fulfill this requirement, preventing potential disputes with property managers or landlords.
3. Ease and Efficiency: Relocating is often a stressful process. Having a structured checklist simplifies the end-of-tenancy cleaning by breaking down tasks into manageable steps, saving time and effort.
4. Avoiding Professional Cleaning Fees: Many renters prefer handling the cleaning themselves to avoid the costs associated with professional cleaning services. A detailed checklist empowers them to do just that, enhancing their chances of a successful handover.

What Does the Checklist Typically Include?

• Bedrooms: Dusting, vacuuming, and window cleaning.
• Bathrooms: Scrubbing tiles, cleaning toilets, and descaling showerheads.
• Kitchens: Degreasing surfaces, cleaning appliances, and sanitizing sinks.
• Living Areas: Wiping down walls, vacuuming upholstery, and polishing surfaces.

By adhering to this comprehensive guide, tenants can confidently leave their rental property in pristine condition, enhancing their reputation for future leasing opportunities. In Australia’s competitive rental market, maintaining a good rental history is as valuable as the bond itself.

Making Ready For Cleaning

It’s crucial to plan before you begin the end of lease clean, since the last thing you want is to get lost mid-cleaning and lose valuable time.

An ordinary studio apartment is cleaned by two experienced bond cleaners in 2 to 4 hours, a three-bedroom apartment is cleaned in 4 to 6 hours, and a large house is cleaned in a whole day when you hire a professional cleaning service. As a result, you must develop a plan based on the hours you have to clean.

To ensure efficiency, consider breaking the task into smaller sections over several days. This approach helps maintain focus and thoroughness.

Additionally, you must make sure the property is unoccupied since bond cleaning calls for a deeper clean than usual. If there are any undesirable items still on the property, throw them away or give them to charity. Leaving furniture in place can hinder the cleaning process, especially in hard-to-reach areas like under couches or behind appliances.

Gather the necessary equipment before starting. A broom, duster, bucket, brush, and dustpan, gloves, a vacuum, a mop, an oven scraper, sponges, sugar soap, newspapers, paper towels, a ladder, a screwdriver, and other similar items are also necessary for thorough cleaning. If at all feasible, request assistance.

End of Lease Cleaning Checklist

Although hiring a bond cleaning business is usually a smart move, if you are unable to do so, you must begin the procedure a few days early and never do it alone. To prevent any mishaps, it’s essential to remove all hazardous garbage from your home before beginning the cleaning process.

You must adhere to the cleaning checklist to guarantee a complete cleaning. This list has been endorsed by several bond cleaning professionals so start cleaning.

By preparing effectively, you’ll navigate the cleaning process with ease and increase your chances of securing your bond return.

Additionally, you must make sure the property is unoccupied since bond cleaning calls for a deeper clean than usual. If there are any undesirable items still on the property, throw them away or give them to charity.

To achieve the pristine condition required for bond return, it’s essential to address every nook and cranny. Moving out first ensures that your cleaning team can reach difficult spots such as under heavy furniture or behind appliances like the fridge. Leaving the space unfurnished not only facilitates a more thorough clean but also prevents the added mess that often accompanies moving. This approach guarantees that the property is cleaned to the highest standard, leaving no corner untouched.

If you do decide to get your hands dirty and do the cleaning yourself, just make sure you clean every inch of the house, from the bedroom and bathroom to the kitchen and garage.

And for that, you need an end of lease cleaning checklist, similar to the one used by  expert bond cleaners to meet criteria. Here is a list of the items you must fully clean in order to receive your bond back.

Making Ready For Cleaning

It’s crucial to plan before you begin the end of lease clean, since the last thing you want is to get lost mid-cleaning and lose valuable time. 

An ordinary studio apartment is cleaned by two experienced bond cleaners in 2 to 4 hours, a three-bedroom apartment is cleaned in 4 to 6 hours, and a large house is cleaned in a whole day when you hire a professional cleaning service. As a result, you must develop a plan based on the hours you have to clean.

Related Article: What if the house wasn’t clean when you moved in?

Additionally, you must make sure the property is unoccupied since bond cleaning calls for a deeper clean than usual. If there are any undesirable items still on the property, throw them away or give them to charity.

A broom, duster, bucket, brush, and dustpan, gloves, a vacuum, a mop, an oven scraper, sponges, sugar soap, newspapers, paper towels, a ladder, a screwdriver, and other similar items are also necessary for thorough cleaning. If at all feasible, request assistance.

To ensure you have everything covered, consider the following essential supplies to kickstart your cleaning process:

• Cleaning Tools:
  • Broom
  • Brush and dustpan
  • Duster
  • Mop
  • Vacuum
• Protective Gear:
  • Gloves
• Cleaning Products:
  • Preferred cleaning product (such as Easy-off, Pledge, Vim)
  • Sugar Soap
  • Oven cleaner (degreaser)
• Special Equipment:
  • Carpet Steam Cleaner (as required)
  • Oven scraper
• Miscellaneous:
  • Sponges
  • Paper Towels
  • Towels
  • Squeegee
  • Newspapers
• Optional Tools:
  • Ladder (as required)
  • Screwdriver (as required)

These supplies are crucial for tackling all areas of your home, ensuring a deep and effective clean. By organizing your equipment, you’ll streamline the process and be ready for any specific tasks that come your way.

End of lease cleaning checklist

Although hiring a bond cleaning business is usually a smart move, if you are unable to do so, you must begin the procedure a few days early and never do it alone. To prevent any mishaps, it’s essential to remove all hazardous garbage from your home before beginning the cleaning process.

You must adhere to the cleaning checklist to guarantee a complete cleaning. This list has been endorsed by several bond cleaning professionals so start cleaning.

Kitchen

Always begin in the kitchen since it involves the most work with oil stains. Grease buildup can range from minor to severe depending on how frequently the kitchen is used. You must scrape the food stains, clean the appliances, and dust the cabinets. Use the list below as a guide:

Disinfect the range hood.

• The oven should be thoroughly cleaned inside and out.
• Clean the bench’s upper surfaces.
• Keep the stoves and backsplash clean.
• Clean the interior of the fridge, microwave, and dishwasher as necessary.
• Maintain the ledges, cabinets, and drawers.
• Clean the sink, faucet, and knobs.
• Sanitize the pantry and mop the floor.
• Bathroom
• Similar to the kitchen, a lot of effort is needed to get the desired outcomes in the bathroom. People frequently ignore or pass over issues like hard water stains, soap scum, toilet stains, etc. and let them fester.

Due to their technical expertise and access to cutting-edge cleaning equipment, bond cleaners in Brisbane are sought after by clients. To do it yourself, though, refer to this cleaning checklist:

• Clean bathtubs and sinks.
• Sanitize the shower door.
• Clean the tiled areas with the cleaning products you have.
• Clean the shower head and faucets.
• Clean and sanitize the restrooms, washing machines.
• Clean the knobs, vanities, and faucets.
• Dust the air vents and shine the mirrors.
• Sanitize the drug shelves.
• Family rooms

Family rooms

Since every living room in a home is essentially the same, you may use a common checklist for them. Additionally, if your home has numerous stories, pay close attention to the corridors and stairways. For a thorough cleaning, use this checklist.

• Vacuum, sweep, or clean the floor.
• Clean the cupboards, drawers, and shelves.
• Clean light fixtures, rails, and mirrors in the wardrobe.
• Clean light switches and power outlets.
• Get rid of the dust and cobwebs.

Additional Tasks:

• Clean the windows and track sills (interior).
• Careful dusting of curtains, door frames, window sills, and skirting boards.
• Dust blinds and detail door frames.
• Detail skirting boards.

As Needed, Consider:

• Carpet steam cleaning
• Pest prevention and control
• Wall cleaning: complete wall washing or spot cleaning
• A thorough cleaning of blinds

Don’t forget to address any hallways and staircases if you live in a house with multiple floors. This holistic approach will ensure every corner is spotless, leaving the home in impeccable condition for the next occupant.

Since every living room in a home is essentially the same, you may use a common checklist for them. Additionally, if your home has numerous stories, pay close attention to the corridors and stairways. For a thorough cleaning, use this checklist.

• Vacuum, sweep, or clean the floor.
• Clean the cupboards, drawers, and shelves.
• Clean the windows and track sills (interior).
• careful dusting of dust on curtains, door frames, window sills, and skirting boards.
• Clean light fixtures, rails, and mirrors in the wardrobe.
• Clean light switches and power outlets.
• Get rid of the dust and cobwebs.

You should also, if necessary, take care of the following:

• Carpet steam cleaning
• Pest prevention and control
• Wall cleaning: complete wall washing or spot cleaning
• A thorough cleaning of blinds
• In addition to these three well-known locations, your apartment could feature a balcony, garage, and laundry room. Therefore, you must ensure that you cover every area. Cleaning your rental home can be a difficult task when you are moving because of all the things you need to take care of.

For this reason, it is always advisable to get in touch with a reputable bond cleaning business . This is due to the fact that nobody wants to chance the cleaning’s calibre because it may have an adverse effect on the landlord.

Endnote

Once you have finished final cleaning, you can contact the property management, landlord, or real estate agent to schedule an inspection. You will receive the bond money back if the client is pleased and satisfied with your cleaning.

Related Article: A Property Manager s Guide to Getting Your Bond Back.

You will have greater faith in your prospects of getting the bond back if you have meticulously followed the cleaning criteria given above. Right after cleaning, request that your real estate agent view the property. If there is room for improvement, fix the problems as soon as possible.

How to Secure Your Bond Refund After Key Return

Take Initiative Early

Once you’ve handed back the keys to your landlord or their agent, it’s time to act quickly. Begin your bond refund request immediately to set the process in motion. This proactive step places the next move in the landlord’s court, giving them a limited timeframe to raise any disagreements.

Understand Your Rights and Responsibilities

Once the keys are returned and you initiate the refund process, the landlord or real estate agent has a set period, typically 14 days, to challenge your claim. If they don’t take any action within this timeframe, your bond will be automatically refunded without further delay.

Prepare for Possible Challenges

In cases where the landlord does dispute the refund, they must schedule a hearing with the appropriate legal body — in New South Wales, this would be the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). It’s important to be ready with documentation such as the condition report, photos, or any written agreements to defend your claim if needed.

By understanding these steps and acting promptly, you can efficiently navigate the bond refund process and ensure a fair outcome.