Last updated: September 2026
The definitive end-of-lease cleaning checklist to get your bond back — what landlords check, what professional cleaning is required, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Property managers inspect against the entry condition report. The most common reasons bonds are withheld: carpet stains not removed, dirty oven and rangehood, marked walls and skirtings, unclean blinds, and garden neglect. Of these, carpet is the #1 cause of bond disputes.
The standard is 'professionally clean' — meaning the property should be returned in the same condition it was leased, allowing for fair wear and tear. Professional carpet cleaning with a receipt is almost always required if the property had carpets professionally cleaned at the start of the lease.
Know Your Lease:
Check your lease for a 'professional cleaning' clause. Many NSW leases require the tenant to pay for professional carpet and pest control at the end of the lease — budget for this before you move.
Work through each room systematically. Start high (ceiling fans, light fittings) and finish low (skirtings, floors). This prevents re-soiling areas you've already cleaned. Allow a full day for a standard 3-bedroom home, or book professionals if time is tight.
Carpet is the single most common reason tenants lose part of their bond. Stains that weren't there at the start of the lease — red wine, pet urine, food, ink — must be removed. If DIY stain removal fails, the property manager will deduct professional cleaning (or replacement) from the bond.
Booking a professional carpet clean with a stain treatment add-on is the safest approach. A reputable cleaner will pre-inspect, treat all visible stains, and provide a receipt — which you submit with your bond return to demonstrate you've met the 'professionally clean' standard.
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