Checklist · 6 min read

The ultimate end of lease cleaning checklist

When you move out of a rental in NSW, your property manager compares the property against the condition report from move-in. This checklist walks through every room the way an inspection does, so nothing gets missed before you hand back the keys.

Kitchen

The kitchen is where most bond deductions happen, so give it the most time.

• Oven, racks, grill and trays degreased inside and out
• Cooktop, knobs and rangehood, including the filter
• Benchtops, splashback and tiles
• All cupboards and drawers, wiped inside and out
• Sink, taps and drain, descaled and polished
• Floors swept and mopped, including edges and corners

Bathrooms and laundry

• Shower screen, tiles and grout descaled, soap scum removed
• Toilet cleaned inside, outside and around the base
• Basin, vanity and mirror
• Exhaust fan cover dusted
• Mould treated on ceilings, silicone and grout
• Laundry tub, bench and floor, plus behind the door

Bedrooms and living areas

• Walls spot-cleaned for scuffs and marks
• Skirting boards, door frames and doors wiped
• Light switches, power points and handles
• Wardrobes and shelving, inside and out
• Internal windows, tracks and sills
• Carpets vacuumed, hard floors mopped

Agents inspect the details most people skip: window tracks, the top of the oven door, skirting behind furniture and the shower grout. That is where bonds are won or lost.

Throughout the property

• Cobwebs removed from ceilings and corners
• Air vents, ceiling fans and light fittings dusted
• Blinds dusted, curtains checked
• Marks removed from all touch points
• Rubbish removed and bins cleaned

Don’t forget

• Balcony, courtyard or garage if they are part of the lease
• Carpet steam cleaning if it was done at move-in (often required in the lease)
• Exterior windows where accessible

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