End of Lease Cleaning: The no 1 Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Full Bond Back

End of lease cleaning

So there I was, standing in my empty apartment, convinced I’d nailed the cleaning. Floors? Mopped. Oven? Scrubbed. Walls? Wiped down. Fast forward to the inspection: “Sorry, we’re keeping $1,200 of your bond for cleaning.”

Turns out, I’d forgotten to:

  • Clean the tops of the ceiling fans (apparently dust bunnies count as “biohazards”)

  • Scrape the wax residue under those cupboard candles

  • Descale the showerhead (who even looks there?)

That’s when I learned: End of lease cleaning isn’t about what you think is clean—it’s about what landlords and property managers check. After helping 37 friends move out successfully (and working with professional cleaners), here’s exactly how to cover all your bases.

What You’ll Learn

  1. Why End of Lease Cleaning is Different From Regular Cleaning

  2. The 7 Critical Areas Landlords Always Check

  3. Professional End of Lease Cleaning Checklist

  4. 5 Sneaky Spots Everyone Forgets (Cost Me $1,200)

  5. When to DIY vs Hire Professionals

1. Why End of Lease Cleaning is Different From Regular Cleaning

Let’s be real—your Saturday “quick clean” won’t cut it here. End of lease cleaning needs to be:

More thorough:

  • Property managers use checklists with 50+ items

  • They’ll inspect areas you’ve never noticed (like inside the toilet tank)

More documented:

  • Photos/videos are your best friend

  • Receipts if you hire professionals matter

More strategic:

  • Time it right (too early = dusty again; too late = no time to fix issues)

  • Know your rights (some charges are bogus)

Pro tip: The Tenants’ Union says landlords can’t charge for “reasonable wear and tear.” That scuff mark from your chair? Probably not your problem.

2. The 7 Critical Areas Landlords Always Check

Through bitter experience (and some insider tips from a property manager friend), here’s what gets scrutinized:

  1. Oven & Stovetop

    • Burnt-on grease = automatic deductions

    • Pull out the drip trays (everyone forgets these)

  2. Carpets

    • Must be professionally cleaned in most states (keep the receipt!)

    • Pet stains? You’ll need enzyme treatment

  3. Windows & Tracks

    • Not just the glass—the gunk in the tracks counts

    • Streaks = “not properly cleaned”

  4. Bathroom Grout & Caulking

    • Moldy silicone means recleaning or recaulcing

    • Magic Erasers work wonders

  5. Light Fixtures & Fans

    • Dust on bulbs = “incomplete cleaning”

    • Yes, they check inside the fixtures

  6. Walls & Skirting Boards

    • Fingerprints, scuffs, and cobwebs in corners

    • Magic tip: Use a tennis ball to erase scuff marks

  7. Behind/Under Appliances

    • Fridge coils collect insane dust

    • That “lost” spoon under the stove? Now visible

3. Professional End of Lease Cleaning Checklist

Here’s the exact checklist pros use (steal this!):

Kitchen:
✔ Degrease range hood + filters
✔ Clean inside microwave (no splatter rainbows)
✔ Empty and wipe all cabinets (yes, even the “junk drawer”)

Bathroom:
✔ Descale showerhead + taps
✔ Bleach grout lines (or replace if moldy)
✔ Polish mirrors (no water spots)

Living Areas:
✔ Vacuum curtains/blinds
✔ Dust baseboards and door frames
✔ Spot clean walls (ketchup incidents happen)

Outdoor:
✔ Sweep garage/patio
✔ Remove cobwebs from eaves
✔ Check for oil stains in carport

Print this and tick as you go—it’s saved me $800 on my last move.

4. 5 Sneaky Spots Everyone Forgets (Cost Me $1,200)

These are the bond killers:

  1. Top of Fridge/Freezer (Grease magnet)

  2. Inside the Toilet Tank (Yes, really)

  3. Window Screens (Dust shows in sunlight)

  4. Door Handles & Light Switches (Grime builds up slowly)

  5. Vents & Exhaust Fans (Peek inside with phone flashlight)

Fun story: A friend lost $300 because she didn’t clean the broom closet. The inspector found a dusty mop bucket. Brutal.

5. When to DIY vs Hire Professionals

DIY If:

  • You’re meticulous + have 8+ hours

  • The property was spotless when you moved in

  • Your bond is under $2,000

Hire Pros If:

  • You’re time-crunched

  • There’s carpet/upholstery stains

  • Your lease requires “professional end of lease cleaning”

Cost Tip: A $300 professional clean often pays for itself by avoiding $1,000+ bond deductions.

Final Walkthrough: Don’t Let Them Rush You

Before handing back keys:

  • Do a sunlight test (morning light reveals streaks/dust)

  • Take timestamped photos of every room

  • Bring a white glove (literally) to check for dust

Remember: Landlords have 14 days (usually) to claim deductions. If they try charging for “cleaning” after that? Dispute it.

Bottom Line: Your Bond is Worth the Effort

End of lease cleaning sucks, but losing your bond sucks more. Whether you:

…just don’t half-arse it. That $1,200 mistake taught me that.

Need more help? [Grab our free move-out cleaning planner]—it’s saved renters over $87,000 in bond money.

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