Moving out is stressful enough without losing part of your bond over a smudged oven or a dusty skirting board. In Victoria, your rental agreement requires you to return the property in the same condition it was in when you moved in (fair wear and tear aside) — and property managers inspect closely. This is the exact room-by-room end of lease cleaning checklist we use on bond cleans across South-East and Eastern Melbourne, so you know what agents actually look for.

Why end of lease cleaning is different from a normal clean

A regular tidy-up keeps a home comfortable. A bond clean has to meet the standard on the property’s entry condition report — the document your agent uses to decide how much of your deposit you get back. That means the spots you normally skip (inside the oven, behind the toilet, the tops of doors, window tracks) are exactly the ones that get flagged. Skip them and you risk a deduction or a re-clean.

Before you start

  • Remove all your belongings and rubbish first — you can’t clean a room that’s still full.
  • Find your entry condition report and photos, so you can match the original state.
  • Work top to bottom (ceilings and shelves before floors) and back to front, so you’re not re-cleaning as you go.
  • Have the basics ready: microfibre cloths, a good degreaser, cream cleanser, glass cleaner, a scrubbing brush, a vacuum and a mop.

The room-by-room end of lease cleaning checklist

Kitchen

  • Oven, griller and racks — degreased inside and out (the number-one reason bonds get docked).
  • Stovetop, range hood and filters, splashback.
  • Inside and outside of all cupboards and drawers, including handles.
  • Sink, taps and drain — descaled and polished.
  • Benchtops, tiles and grout.
  • Dishwasher and microwave (if they stay), inside and out.
  • Fridge cavity cleaned if the fridge is included.

Bathrooms and laundry

  • Shower screen, tiles and grout — soap scum and mould removed.
  • Toilet cleaned inside, outside and behind the base.
  • Vanity, mirror, sink and taps.
  • Exhaust fans dusted, mould spots treated.
  • Laundry tub, cupboards and behind the machines.

Bedrooms and living areas

  • Walls spot-cleaned for marks and scuffs; cobwebs removed from corners and cornices.
  • Skirting boards, architraves, door frames and the tops of doors wiped.
  • Light switches, power points and light fittings dusted.
  • Wardrobes and built-in shelving cleaned inside.
  • Windows, tracks, sills and flyscreens.
  • Carpets vacuumed — and professionally steam cleaned if that’s a condition of your lease (many are).

Everywhere else

  • Air-conditioner and heater vents and filters.
  • All hard floors vacuumed and mopped.
  • Balcony, garage, and any outdoor areas swept.
  • Blinds and curtains dusted or cleaned.

The spots that cost people their bond

After hundreds of end of lease cleans, the same items get flagged again and again: the inside of the oven, mouldy shower grout, window tracks, the top edges of doors, marks on walls, and carpets that were vacuumed but not steam cleaned. If you’re doing it yourself, give these extra time — they’re the difference between a full refund and a deduction.

DIY or hire a professional?

A thorough bond clean on a two-bedroom home takes most people the better part of a day, plus the cost of hiring a carpet steam cleaner. If your lease requires professional carpet cleaning, or you simply don’t have the time before handover, a professional end of lease cleaning service is usually worth it — especially one that offers a bond-back guarantee, meaning they’ll return to fix anything the agent flags at no extra charge.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to get carpets professionally cleaned?

Only if your lease says so, or if the carpets were professionally cleaned at the start of your tenancy. Check your agreement — if in doubt, a receipt for professional steam cleaning protects you.

How long does an end of lease clean take?

A professional team typically takes three to six hours depending on the size and condition of the property. Doing it yourself, allow a full day.

What if the agent isn’t happy?

With a bond-back guarantee, a reputable cleaner returns to re-clean any flagged areas free of charge, so your bond isn’t at risk.

Cleaning across Melbourne’s south-east and east, Brantjes Property Solutions offers agent-standard end of lease cleaning with a bond-back guarantee. Call us for a fast, no-obligation quote.