Cleaning is one of the most common issues raised at final inspection. Bond deductions are often linked not to major damage, but to areas that have not been cleaned to the required standard at vacate.
A thorough vacate clean helps ensure the property is returned in the condition expected at handover and reduces the risk of bond deductions.
What ‘clean’ means at vacate
At vacate, the property should be returned clean, empty, and in the condition required under the tenancy agreement. In practice, that means cleaning to the standard it was in at the start of the tenancy, allowing for fair wear and tear. If you have been in the property for a long time, the entry condition report can be a helpful reference point when working out what that standard looked like at handover. Final inspections usually come down to detail, particularly in places that are easy to miss during a move, such as ovens, window tracks, skirting boards, bathroom grout, cupboards and outdoor areas.
Where cleaning standards most often fall short
Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the main focus areas at final inspection. Ovens are expected to be cleaned inside and out, including trays, racks and the glass door. Rangehood filters should be degreased. Cupboards, drawers and shelves should be emptied and wiped down, and sinks, splashbacks and benchtops left free from food residue, grease and marks. If the property includes a dishwasher or fridge, these should also be cleaned thoroughly, with the fridge defrosted and left open.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are another area where cleaning standards are closely assessed. Shower screens should be free from soap build-up, tiles and grout checked for mould or staining, and toilets, vanities, mirrors and fittings cleaned properly. Cupboards and drawers should be emptied and wiped out.
Floors, walls and windows
Vacuuming and mopping are expected, but final inspections go beyond just this. Skirting boards, wall marks, internal windows, window tracks, blinds, curtains and light fittings are all commonly checked. These are often the areas that get overlooked during a move and later come up at final inspection.
General presentation
The property should be clean throughout, including the areas that are less obvious day to day. That includes cobwebs, vents, exhaust fans, heat pump filters and rubbish removal. Outdoor areas should also be left tidy, with lawns mowed, edges trimmed and bins emptied and cleaned if required. In furnished properties, furniture and included appliances should be cleaned and presented in good order.
Keep records of any required professional cleaning
Some tenancies include specific requirements that need to be addressed before vacate. For example, professional carpet cleaning may be required where this is supported by the tenancy agreement and the condition of the carpets at the end of the tenancy. In some cases, a lease may also specifically require fumigation where pets have been approved. Where professional services are required, it is important to keep receipts as evidence the work has been completed.
It’s worth checking these requirements early so they can be booked in advance and included in your move-out plan.
A cleaner handover starts earlier than move-out day
The easiest way to avoid issues at final inspection is to prepare early. Allow enough time for cleaning, check any tenancy requirements that call for professional services, and keep receipts where these need to be provided.
A final inspection is simply a check that the property has been returned in the condition required under the tenancy. Where cleaning has been done thoroughly and the handover has been planned properly, the process is usually more straightforward and the risk of avoidable bond deductions is reduced.
For further guidance on the vacate process, please contact our rental team.
