Moving out is stressful enough without your bond getting held hostage over a dusty skirting board or a grubby oven tray. Real estate agents and property managers use their own inspection checklist when you move out – so the smartest move is to clean to that standard, not just “looks fine to me.” Here’s the full end of lease cleaning checklist, room by room, the way agents actually check it.
Kitchen
- Inside and outside of the oven, including racks and the griller tray (this is the single biggest bond-deduction culprit, hands down)
- Rangehood filter degreased, not just wiped
- Inside and outside of every cupboard and drawer
- Splashback and benchtops, including behind the tap where grime hides
- Sink and taps descaled, no water spots
- Fridge space cleaned if the fridge is a tenant-supplied appliance
- Floors mopped, including under any movable appliances
Bathroom and Toilet
- Grout scrubbed, not just the tile surface (agents look closely here)
- Shower screen descaled and streak-free
- Exhaust fan dusted – commonly missed, commonly checked
- Toilet cleaned inside, outside, and around the base
- Mirrors and any glass streak-free
- Mould treated in silicone seals, not just bleached and left
Living Areas and Bedrooms
- All skirting boards wiped down (dust builds up fast and it’s an easy inspection point)
- Light switches, power points and door handles – these collect grime you don’t notice until it’s pointed out
- Windows, tracks and flyscreens cleaned (see our full guide to window tracks and screens if you’re tackling this yourself)
- Wardrobes cleared and wiped inside, including tracks on sliding doors
- Carpets vacuumed thoroughly, professionally steam cleaned if your lease requires it (check your original condition report)
- Walls spot-cleaned for scuffs and marks
Laundry
- Washing machine and dryer space cleaned, lint filter cleared
- Sink and cupboards wiped out
- Floor mopped, including behind the machines if they’re not built in
Outdoors
- End of lease yard clean up: lawns mowed, edges trimmed, garden beds weeded to the same standard as your original condition report
- Driveway and paths swept or pressure washed if there’s obvious buildup
- Garage floor swept clean, oil stains addressed if present
- Outdoor furniture or items removed unless included in the lease
What Does End of Lease Cleaning Cost?
End of lease cleaning cost depends on the size of the property, how many bathrooms, and whether carpet steam cleaning is included. As a rough guide, a standard 2-bedroom unit costs less than a 4-bedroom house with a yard, and adding carpet steam cleaning or an oven detail on top increases the price accordingly. The honest way to think about it: it’s usually far cheaper than a bond dispute, and much less stressful than doing it yourself in the last 48 hours before your final inspection.
A Quick Word on Bond Disputes
If your agent does raise an issue after the clean, take photos of everything before you hand back keys – it’s your best protection either way. NSW tenants can also check their rights and the standard condition expected through NSW Fair Trading’s end of tenancy guidance if a dispute does come up.
Skip the Checklist, Book the Clean
We run full end of lease cleans across Wollongong and the Illawarra – kitchen, bathrooms, carpets, windows and yard clean up all covered in one booking, done to the standard agents actually check. See our residential cleaning services or get a free quote before your final inspection date creeps up on you.
FAQs
Do I need professional carpet steam cleaning for end of lease?
Check your original condition report and lease terms – many leases require it specifically, and a receipt is often requested as proof.
How far in advance should I book an end of lease clean?
As soon as you have a confirmed move-out date. Bookings fill up fast around common lease-end periods (end of month, especially).
What if the agent still finds an issue after a professional clean?
Reputable cleaners will typically offer a re-clean guarantee within a set window – ask about this when booking.
Looking for a broader overview? See our guide to essential cleaning services for residential and commercial spaces.