What Does A Bond Clean Include?

So, you’re moving out of a rental, and you want to make sure you get your bond back? That’s understandable, with the soaring price of rent, bond has become very expensive.   

But what does a bond clean include? Is it worth the money and will you be guaranteed to receive your bond back?  

Read on to learn what it is, why it is necessary for renters, and what’s included in a bond clean. 

What Is A Bond Clean? 

A bond cleaning, an exit or end-of-lease cleaning service, involves deep cleaning your rental home before you move out.   

Bond cleaning aims to restore your home to the condition it was in before you moved in, removing any grime that may have built up over the years and getting it ready for a new tenant. It’s the kind of clean that includes cleaning the walls, fans, the floors and depending on the property and your real estate carpet cleaning.  

Properly cleaning your house or flat before handing the keys to your landlord increases your chances of getting your full bond back, which generally amounts to 4 weeks’ rent. 

An Outline Of The Bond Refund Process 

When your lease begins, you, your landlord or property manager will lodge your bond with the proper authority in your state. 

For example, in NSW, this is Fair Trading. 

It remains here until the lease is over when your real estate agent will either refund your bond or make a claim against it. 

Here is a brief outline of the bond refunding process: 

Initial condition report: This document details the rental property’s condition, agreed on by the tenant and landlord. This is so that the initial condition of the property is recorded in writing before you move in. You will have been instructed to check over this condition report and confirm that all existing damage in the property is recorded on that inital report.  

Final inspection: When the lease is up, and it’s time to move out, your landlord or real estate agent will conduct a final inspection, referring back to the initial condition report so that any differences or new damages can be noted. Before this final inspection takes place all your belongings must be removed, and the property must be cleaned to the standard required.  

Release or claim: If it passes the inspection, your landlord or agent will release and refund your bond. If not, they will make a claim against your bond. 

How to maximise your chances of getting your full bond back

Search data shows a lot of renters are specifically looking for ways to protect their bond, not just how to clean. A few practical steps beyond the clean itself:

• Compare against your initial condition report before you start, not after. Go through it room by room and note anything that was already damaged or worn when you moved in, so you’re not held responsible for it.
• Take dated photos or a video walkthrough once the clean and any repairs are done, before you hand back the keys. This is your evidence if there’s a dispute later.
• Separate cleaning from repairs. A bond clean covers grime, dust and general dirt, not damage like holes in walls, broken fittings or stains that need professional repair. Fair wear and tear is not something you can be charged for, but genuine damage usually is.
• Book your clean as close to the final inspection as you can, ideally the day before or the morning of, so dust hasn’t had time to resettle.
• Ask your property manager directly if there’s anything specific they’ll be checking for. Some agencies provide their own exit checklist, and it’s worth cross-checking it against the one below.

Do I need to get a professional cleaner to perform a bond clean? 

The law requires that you leave your rental property in the same condition it was at the start of your tenancy, minus general wear and tear. A bond or lease cleaning professional will help restore your place to its prior condition. 

Each landlord will have unique exit cleaning requirements and should provide you with an end-of-lease cleaning checklist. You can choose to clean your rental apartment or house yourself or hire a professional bond cleaning service, depending on how much work needs doing. 

If you had pets in your home, you might be legally required to steam the carpets – always check the Residential Tenancies Act if you need clarification on the requirements for your state. 

It’s also worth checking your original lease agreement, some include a specific carpet cleaning or pest control clause regardless of pets, and missing it is a common reason bond disputes happen.

How long does a bond clean take? 

The time it takes to complete a successful bond cleaning will depend on many factors unique to the property, such as the size, number of rooms, and home tidiness. 

However, you can always expect it to take considerably longer than a regular clean. 

If you plan to professionally get your bond cleaning done, the time will typically range from 3 hours – 2 days.  

If you decide to perform the entire cleaning independently, give yourself at least a week to complete it before moving out. 

You’d be surprised how long it can take to tackle all the build-up of grime, mould, dust and dirt that accumulates over the years by yourself. 

How much does a bond clean cost?

Bond cleans are priced higher than a regular clean because of the extra scope, deep grease and grime removal, oven degreasing, and detail work in every room take considerably longer than a routine visit. Exact pricing depends on your property’s size, condition, and whether extras like carpet steam cleaning are needed.
Your local Area Coordinator can give you an accurate bond clean quote based on your specific property, get in touch or book online and they’ll confirm exact pricing for you.

What do bond cleaners do? 

Bond cleaners conduct a thorough deep clean of a property before the tenant occupies it when the lease has ended. 

They use specialised cleaning products and a professional eye for detail to meticulously clean and sanitise every corner of the property so that you get your bond back. 

A bond clean will be much more in-depth than a regular run-of-the-mill cleaning service. 

While the bond cleaning services offered by different bond cleaning companies will vary slightly, many cleaning tasks are often provided by professionals and should be carried out by people who decide to perform their own end-of-lease cleaning. 

Our bond cleaning checklist for a deep clean 

Use this bond clean checklist as your guide, room by room, so nothing gets missed before your final inspection (for a general routine-cleaning version, see our house cleaning checklist):

General Cleaning 

• Vacuuming and scrubbing the floors + spot cleaning to remove marks 
• Dusting and wiping the skirting boards 
• Spot-cleaning dirty walls 
• Wiping the door handles and light switches 
• Dusting light fittings, ceiling fans, and vents 
• Washing windows, windowsills, and tracks 
• Wiping blinds & curtain rails + cleaning the curtains 

Kitchen Cleaning 

• Wiping kitchen drawers, cabinets, and pantry shelves inside and out 
• Degreasing and deep-cleaning the oven 
• Cleaning the stove hood filter and exhaust 
• Deep clean of the fridge and freezer 
• Wipe and sanitise all countertops and other surfaces 
• Deep cleaning the dishwasher 
• Cleaning and sanitising the sink and tap 

Bathroom Cleaning 

• Removing soap scum and mould from taps, fittings and bathroom walls 
• Deep grout clean 
• Deep clean the toilet, sink and bath 
• Scrub floor and wall tiles 
• Wash shower curtain or wipe shower walls 
• Clean the mirrors 
• Sweep, sanitise and mop floors 

Outdoor Cleaning  (we don’t complete outdoor cleaning)  

• Mowing the lawn 
• Weeding of the garden 
• Sweeping/mopping decks or patios 
• Sanitise and deep clean bins 
• Remove any cobwebs 
• Sweeping concrete areas 

Other tasks 

Depending on the property’s characteristics and what you and your landlord have agreed upon, additional tasks, such as steam carpet cleaning, may need to be carried out. 

It’s always a good idea to discuss with your landlord what they expect from you regarding bond cleaning when your lease ends. 

Is Professional Bond Cleaning Worth It? 

Professional lease cleaning is worth it for the majority of renters. Here are some of the benefits: 

The cost of a professional cleaning service will be much less than not getting your bond back. 

Although it is possible to do it yourself, a professional is likely to do a better job as they have experience with bond cleans – this will increase the chances of you getting back your deposit. 

It will save time during the already incredibly stressful and busy period of moving homes. 

Find a Quality Bond Cleaning Service with Absolute Domestics 

It is crucial to ensure you get the best quality bond cleaning possible, as you’ll have a lot of money riding on you getting your bond back.

Absolute Domestics is a cleaning company that offers end-of-lease cleaning services.

As a reliable agency with over 30 years in the industry, we are sure to provide you with nothing short of a professional-grade bond cleaning service by one of our skilled and trustworthy cleaners.

Our professional cleaners use high-quality, specialised cleaning materials and have years of experience to help you clean every forgotten corner of your home.
It takes under a minute to book a cleaning service with Absolute Domestics and will save you time, stress and money in the long run. If it’s not moving-out day yet, our prepare for your cleaner guide has tips for getting the most out of any professional visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a bond clean include carpet cleaning?

Not always, it depends on your lease agreement and whether you had pets. Some tenancy agreements require professional carpet steam cleaning regardless, especially if pets lived in the property. Check your lease and your state’s Residential Tenancies Act, and mention it when booking so it can be included.

Does a bond clean include the oven?

Yes. Ovens are one of the most heavily checked items during a final inspection, since grease and burnt-on residue build up over time. A proper bond clean includes degreasing the oven inside and out, along with racks and the stovetop or range hood filter.