Bond Cleaning Checklist for NSW Renters

When you reach the end of a tenancy in NSW, the condition of the property determines whether you get your bond back in full. Property managers use detailed inspection reports, and any item that falls short can become a deduction. This checklist works through the property room by room so you have a clear picture of what needs to be done.

What Counts as a Bond Clean?

A bond clean (also called an end-of-lease clean or vacate clean) is a thorough clean of the entire property returned to the condition it was in at the start of your tenancy, allowing for fair wear and tear.

Fair wear and tear covers gradual deterioration from normal use: minor scuffs on walls, small carpet impressions from furniture, faded paintwork over years. It does not cover staining, built-up grime, damage from neglect, or anything that a reasonable clean would fix.

The standard reference in NSW is the entry condition report you signed when you moved in. Inspectors compare the exit condition against that document.

Room-by-Room Checklist

Kitchen

• [ ] Oven interior: racks, base, walls, door glass, and seals cleaned and free of grease
• [ ] Rangehood filters degreased or replaced, exterior wiped down
• [ ] Stovetop burners, grates, and surrounding surfaces free of grease
• [ ] Splashback wiped, grout cleaned
• [ ] All cupboards and drawers wiped inside and out, including hinges
• [ ] Benchtops cleaned, edges and joins addressed
• [ ] Sink and tap fittings descaled and polished
• [ ] Dishwasher interior, door seals, and filter cleaned
• [ ] Microwave interior and exterior wiped
• [ ] Fridge interior if left at the property

Bathrooms and Toilets

• [ ] Shower screens cleaned, soap scum and water marks removed
• [ ] Grout lines scrubbed, mould treated
• [ ] Tiles wiped, including walls behind fixtures
• [ ] Toilet bowl, seat, cistern, and base cleaned
• [ ] Vanity, basin, and tap fittings descaled
• [ ] Mirror cleaned, no smears
• [ ] Exhaust fan covers cleaned
• [ ] Floors mopped, including corners and behind the toilet

Bedrooms and Living Areas

• [ ] Walls spot-cleaned: fingerprints, marks, scuffs near light switches and door handles
• [ ] Skirting boards wiped along their full length
• [ ] Window sills, tracks, and frames cleaned
• [ ] Window glass cleaned inside
• [ ] Blinds or curtains cleaned according to material type
• [ ] Light fittings wiped, globes working
• [ ] Power points and switches cleaned
• [ ] Built-in wardrobes wiped inside, tracks and runners cleared
• [ ] Doors and door frames wiped on both sides

Laundry

• [ ] Washing machine drum, door seal, and filter cleaned
• [ ] Dryer filter cleaned
• [ ] Tub or basin cleaned
• [ ] Cupboards wiped inside and out
• [ ] Floors mopped

Outdoors and Common Areas

• [ ] Garage swept, oil stains treated where possible
• [ ] Balcony or patio swept and wiped down
• [ ] Flyscreen frames cleaned
• [ ] Front entrance swept

Carpets and Flooring

NSW leases frequently include a clause requiring professional carpet steam cleaning at the end of tenancy, particularly if pets were kept at the property. Even without such a clause, carpet in poor condition is one of the most common reasons bond deductions occur.

Check your lease before the clean. If it specifies professional steam cleaning, DIY treatment will not satisfy the requirement regardless of the result.

Hard floors should be swept and mopped thoroughly. Timber floors require appropriate products and should not be over-wet.

What Property Managers Focus On

Based on how REINSW inspection reports are structured, the areas that attract the most scrutiny are:

1. The oven and rangehood
2. Bathroom grout and shower screens
3. Carpet condition and odour
4. Window tracks and sills
5. Skirting boards and wall marks

These are also the areas most likely to be missed during a standard clean. If you are short on time, these are where professional assistance adds the most value.

Timing

Book cleaning before your final inspection date, not after. Many agencies require at least 24 to 48 hours notice for re-inspections, so if something is missed there is very little time to address it before the formal report is submitted.

Tip: Coordinate carpet cleaning and the general bond clean on the same day or adjacent days. Cleaning carpets before the rest of the property is done risks re-soiling them.