End of Lease Cleaning in Australia: What Real Estate Agents Really Check

By Attique Ur Rehman October 27, 2025

Moving out and want your full bond back? The secret isn’t magic—it’s matching (and proving) the property is as clean as when you moved in, minus fair wear and tear. Below is a practical guide to what Australian property managers actually check, how to prepare, and a room-by-room checklist you can follow to pass the first inspection.

TL;DR – Agent Priorities at a Glance

Kitchen & Oven: Grease-free oven, rangehood filters, cooktop, splashback, cupboards inside/out, and bench edges.
Bathrooms: Mould-free grout and silicone, descaled taps/shower screens, clean drains and exhaust fans.
Floors & Carpets: Hard floors mopped, carpets professionally steam-cleaned (keep the receipt).
Walls, Doors & Skirtings: Remove marks where possible; wipe tops of doors and skirting boards.
Windows: Clean glass, tracks and sills; flyscreens dusted.
Blinds & Fixtures: Dust venetians/roller blinds, clean light fittings and fan blades.
Laundry & Balcony: Lint removed, trough descaled, balcony washed, sliding door tracks cleaned.
Outdoor/Garage: Sweep; remove cobwebs, weeds, and rubbish.
Pets: If you had pets, many agents expect flea/pest treatment (bring the invoice).
Proof: Photos + invoices (carpet/pest/pressure wash/oven where applicable) to avoid disputes.

Why “Entry Condition” and “Proof” Matter

The Entry Condition Report (plus your move-in photos) is the baseline. Agents compare today’s condition with that report—not with a brand-new property. Keep your before/after photos and receipts (carpet steam clean, pest control, professional oven clean, etc.). This documentation is what gets borderline issues over the line and keeps your bond safe.

Room-by-Room: What Agents Really Check

1) Kitchen (Top Bond-Risk Zone)

Oven & Stovetop: Interior degreased, racks and trays cleaned, door glass streak-free, cooktop and knobs free of burnt-on residue.
Rangehood: Filters degreased; underside wiped.
Splashback & Benches: No grease film on tiles/glass; bench edges and silicone lines wiped.
Cupboards/Drawers: Crumbs removed; hinges, handles, and kickboards wiped; tops and interiors dust-free.
Sink & Tapware: Lime scale/calcium removed; drain clean; polish for a streak-free finish.
Appliance Gaps: Pull out and clean behind/under fridge and dishwasher if possible.

2) Bathrooms & Toilets

Shower & Bath: Mould and soap scum gone from grout and silicone; glass descaled.
Vanity & Mirrors: Toothpaste dust, hair, and product residue gone; mirror streak-free.
Toilet: Rim, seat hinges, base, and behind the bowl fully disinfected.
Exhaust Fan: Dust removed (grilles often missed).
Taps & Drains: Descaled; drains free-flowing and odour-free.

3) Floors & Carpets

Hard Floors: Vacuumed and mopped right to the edges and behind doors.
Carpets: Many agents expect professional steam cleaning—especially if stated in your lease or if there were pets. Keep the dated invoice.

4) Walls, Doors, Skirtings & Power Points

Scuffs & Marks: Remove where safe (avoid removing paint); spot-clean switches and door handles.
Skirtings & Frames: Dust top edges; wipe door frames and the tops of internal doors.

5) Windows, Tracks & Flyscreens

Glass: Inside (and outside where accessible) cleaned.
Tracks: Vacuum, then wipe; remove sand, fluff, and insects.
Sills & Flyscreens: Dust and wipe to remove grime build-up.

6) Bedrooms & Living Areas

Wardrobes: Shelves, rails, and mirrored doors cleaned.
Fans, Lights, Air-Con: Dust blades and fittings; wipe air-con filters (dry before reinstalling).
Heaters & Vents: Dust and wipe front grills; check for cobwebs.

7) Laundry

Trough & Taps: Descale; remove rust or detergent residue.
Appliances: Clear lint from dryer and filter; wipe behind/under machines if possible.

8) Balcony/Patio & Exterior

Flooring: Sweep and wash; remove leaves, stains, and bird droppings.
Rails/Glass: Wipe down; clean sliding door tracks thoroughly.
Garage/Carport: Sweep; remove cobwebs and any oil spots if feasible.

9) Pets, Odours & Rubbish

Pest/Flea Treatment: Often required if pets lived at the property—get a licensed treatment and keep the receipt.
Odours: Ventilate after cleaning; use enzyme products for pet odours.
Bins: Empty and wash; remove all rubbish to avoid re-inspection delays.

Fair Wear & Tear vs Cleaning

Wear & Tear: Faded paint, light carpet wear, minor scuffs on high-traffic areas—not your responsibility to “fix”.
Cleaning: Dust, grease, grime, mould, stains you can remove are your responsibility.
If in doubt, clean it and document the outcome. Where marks won’t safely lift (e.g., paint comes off), photograph and note it.

State-by-State Nuances (Quick Notes)

Lease clauses can differ, but the principle is consistent across NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, ACT: return the property reasonably clean and comparable to move-in condition (allowing for fair wear and tear).
If pets lived at the property, pest treatment (and often carpet steam cleaning) is commonly expected—check your lease.

How to Pass on the First Inspection

Work from the top down (fans → furniture → skirtings → floors).
Do the “Bond Big 5” professionally if time is tight: oven, grout/mould, blinds, carpets (steam), windows/tracks.
Keep receipts (carpet, pest, oven, pressure washing).
Photo evidence (before/after), particularly where age-related wear limits your result.
Leave time for airing (to avoid streaks and smells) and a final “touch-up” walk-through.

Common Reasons Bonds Get Delayed

Greasy oven or rangehood filters
Mouldy grout and scaley shower glass
Window tracks still gritty
Blinds dusty or stained strings
Obvious wall marks near switches/handles
Carpets not steam-cleaned (or no receipt)
Balcony not washed; door tracks dirty
Bins left full; rubbish on premises

End of Lease Cleaning Checklist (Save or Print)

Whole Home: Fans, lights, vents, skirtings, doors/handles, switches, walls (spot clean), windows + tracks/sills, blinds, wardrobes, mirrors, air-con filters, cobwebs, floors (vacuum/mop), remove all rubbish.
Kitchen: Oven (incl. trays/racks/door), stovetop/knobs, rangehood + filters, splashback, cupboards in/out, sink/taps/descale, benches/edges, appliance cavities, floors.
Bathrooms: Showers (glass, grout, silicone), bath, vanities, mirrors, toilets (incl. hinges/base), drains, taps/descale, exhaust fans, floors.
Laundry: Trough/taps/descale, dryer lint filter, behind machines if accessible, floors.
Exterior: Balcony/patio wash, railings/glass, sliding door tracks, garage swept, bins washed.
Pets (if applicable): Carpet steam clean; flea/pest treatment.
Handover: Photos, receipts, keys, remotes, manuals.

FAQs

Do I have to steam-clean the carpets?
If your lease says so—or if pets were present—yes. Even when optional, steam cleaning (with a receipt) removes doubt.

Is mould “wear and tear”?
No. Mould and soap scum are cleaning issues. Grout and silicone must be visibly clean.

Do I need professional oven cleaning?
Not always, but it’s the most common fail point. If the oven is heavily soiled, a pro clean saves time and arguments.

What if marks won’t come off the wall?
Stop if paint starts lifting. Take photos to show it’s a wear-and-tear/age issue rather than neglect.

How long does a bond clean take?
Depends on size/condition. Studios can take several hours; large homes can take a full day (or more) for a meticulous result—especially with oven, grout, blinds, and windows.