Moving out of a rental property is a lot of work. You have to pack up all your things and make sure nothing has disappeared beneath the couch cushions — and of course, say goodbye to your home.
But between filling boxes and taping them up, you’ll need to remember to do a bond clean, too.
Bond cleaning (or end of lease cleaning) is a one-time deep clean performed before moving out of a property. You must clean your rental to a reasonable standard to get your security deposit back.
Learn more about bond cleaning — such as what’s included and whether it’s mandatory — to make moving out a little easier.
Is Bond Cleaning Mandatory? | Bond Cleaning Inclusions | How Long It Takes | How Much It Costs
What’s the Difference Between a Bond Clean and Regular Cleaning?
Bond cleaning (also known as end of lease cleaning or vacate cleaning) is a different service from regular house cleaning!
A bond clean is a one-off service performed when someone is moving out of a rental property. The detailed and thorough cleaning restores the property to the condition required to get your bond money back.
(You can also get a bond clean if you’re planning on selling a property — it’ll make a great impression on the new buyer!)
Bond cleaning includes things like walls, any appliances remaining in the property (like a dishwasher or fridge), fly screens, air conditioning filters, and all interior windows and cabinets — all areas that usually aren’t part of a regular house clean, or need to be added as extras.
On the other hand, regular house cleaning helps maintain your home by tackling everyday dirt and grime. The cleaner can tackle specific problem areas (like the bathroom) or follow a standard cleaning routine.
Deep cleaning usually involves a focus on a particularly dirty space (like a kitchen), especially one that hasn’t been cleaned in a while.
Here’s a quick comparison table for bond cleaning versus regular cleaning:
| BOND CLEANING | REGULAR HOUSE CLEANING |
| One-off service when moving out of a rental property | Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly maintenance cleaning |
| Involves detailed cleaning ahead of a new tenant moving in | Covers routine tasks for home maintenance |
| Will take several hours or more | Usually needs a few hours |
| Follows a checklist of required tasks | Can focus on specific tasks or areas |
| Covers all areas of the home, including hidden spaces like behind appliances | Tackles everyday dirt and grime on surfaces and common spaces |
| Aims to return the property to the same condition as the start of tenancy | Aims to keep a home clean and well-maintained |
Is Bond Cleaning Mandatory?
While tenants are responsible for leaving their rental property in a clean and orderly condition (besides any “fair wear and tear”), it’s not mandatory to get a bond cleaning service!
The general rule when ending a tenancy is to leave the property in a similar condition to the start of your tenancy. This means you must clean to a reasonable standard — but not that you need to pay for a bond clean.
It’s possible to do a bond clean on your own, but keep in mind that this is a very detailed cleaning job.
Afterwards, you’ll need to compare your Exit Condition Report to the Initial Condition Report (or Entry Condition Report) submitted when you moved in. This will confirm any wear and tear or pre-existing damage.
Some states make exceptions for including professional services in a tenancy agreement, but only within specific terms.
For example, Victoria allows for a “professional cleaning clause” in a residential rental agreement signed after March 2021 only if “professional cleaning was carried out immediately before the start of tenancy” or if it is “required to restore rented premises to the same condition.” You must be informed of this when signing as a tenant.
Other states may have laws allowing a landlord to charge for end of lease cleaning if the property is not cleaned to a reasonable standard. There may also be specific policies for professional carpet steam cleaning, especially if you had pets at the property.
Always check with your local state laws or residential tenancies authority to be sure!
Still, getting a bond cleaning service can help your chances of getting your full bond deposit back. A professional cleaner will follow a detailed checklist of items and areas typically covered in a moving-out rental inspection.
In Queensland, part of ending a tenancy and getting your bond back includes providing evidence that you have left the property in a similarly clean state to when you moved in. That evidence can include a receipt for professional cleaning, which landlords really appreciate.
And of course, getting a professional service will also save you the trouble of doing the cleaning by yourself — that’s a lot of work.
What Does a Bond Clean Include?
Professional cleaners will typically follow a bond cleaning checklist with detailed, deep cleaning tasks.
The full scope is often included in your rental agreement, but some general bond cleaning inclusions are:
- Spot-cleaning walls
- Wiping down skirting boards
- Dusting and removing cobwebs
- Damp wiping exposed surfaces
- Cleaning the interiors of windows
- Vacuuming and mopping all floors
- Dusting light fixtures and switches
- Cleaning door frames and window tracks
Some room-specific bond cleaning services include:
- Bathroom: Cleaning shower glass, tiles, exhaust fan, sink, toilet, and tub
- Bedroom: Vacuuming carpets or rugs; cleaning inside cupboards and wardrobes
- Kitchen: Cleaning cupboards, dishwasher, oven, range hood, stovetop, and sink
- Other areas: Sweeping and mopping of garage, front door area, balcony or verandah
Cleaning companies may also offer extra services, such as blind cleaning, carpet cleaning, ceiling cleaning, or full wall washing.
The bond cleaners will do routine grout cleaning while washing tiles. But for more intensive work, you’re better off going to a specialty company!
Outdoor areas like gardens are typically not included.
How Long Does a Bond Clean Take?
The time allotted for a bond cleaning service will depend on the size and condition of your home!
For example, a 1-bedroom apartment will go much faster than a 3-bedroom home. On the flip side, a 2-bedroom home might take a while if it wasn’t being regularly cleaned.
When you engage a bond cleaning company, they’ll usually inspect the entire property beforehand. This lets them finalise an estimate on how much time it will take and how much it will cost.
At Maid2Match, we do a walkthrough and base our estimates on how many hours it will take to complete our bond cleaning checklist. We also provide our estimate upfront, before your service, for full transparency.
Then we’ll assign a team of experienced cleaners to make sure everything gets done.
How Much Does a Bond Clean Cost?
The cost of a bond cleaning service will depend on the size of your home and the time needed to clean it, as well as your location!
The cost of bond cleaning in Australia ranges from $45.00 to $80.00 per hour.
Extra services (such as wall washing) may also incur additional costs.
Be wary of “cheap” end of lease cleaning services — they may provide substandard results or may not come with a guarantee for your deposit. If you’re paying for a professional cleaning service, make sure they’re reputable.
Maid2Match understands the importance of transparency and clear communication during the hectic time of moving out. We provide our bond clean pricing upfront and break down how we’ve calculated our estimate for your home so you’re well-informed of the process!
FAQs About Bond Cleaning
We’ll tackle a few other questions that people commonly have about end of lease cleaning.
Do I need to be present for a bond clean?
Not necessarily! You can meet with the bond cleaners beforehand, especially when they do their initial walkthrough — that keeps you informed on the time it will take and other details.
However, remember that this service will take a long time, and you’ve already packed up all your things, so you might not want to hang out in an empty home all day.
Feel free to leave the pro cleaners to do the work, and they’ll lock up when they’re done!
Do bond cleaners clean appliances?
Companies may offer appliance cleaning as a covered service if the appliances are available in the home or apartment. Examples may include dishwashers, ovens, and cooktops.
When in doubt, ask the cleaning company if they can clean an appliance as an extra service.
Do bond cleaners clean the walls?
Bond cleaners will spot-clean any stains or scuffs on the wall, but a full wall washing is usually not included in a standard bond cleaning service.
However, some companies (like Maid2Match) offer it as an extra service for an additional cost. Just let us know beforehand!
Do bond cleaners clean rubbish bins?
A pro cleaner will usually empty the rubbish bins, and may clean any bins left inside a home (like in bathrooms or kitchens).
However, cleaning outdoor bins is different — you’ll need to use a bin cleaning service for that.
How soon before moving out should I get a bond clean?
There is no required timeframe for a bond clean, but you must have the property in a clean and orderly state by your move-out date or date of inspection.
A good rule of thumb is to perform end of lease cleaning around 3–5 days before returning your keys to the real estate agent or property manager.
You want to give enough time for the cleaners to tackle everything and come back in case something needs fixing — that way, it’s less stressful for them and you.
Is Bond Cleaning Worth It? We Think So!
At the end of the day, someone new is moving into the property, whether you’re renting or selling. Think about how you felt when moving in — it’s a nice gesture to leave the place like new for the next tenant!
It also increases the chances of getting your bond deposit back and making a good impression on the landlord or property manager. And of course, it means you don’t have to wipe, vacuum, and wash everything yourself.
Moving out is already hectic enough, so leave the stress of cleaning to Maid2Match’s pros. We’ve been doing bond cleans since 2014 and offer a 72-hour guarantee — trust us, our bond cleaning services are worth it!
