Bond Cleaning Guides & Resources

What is Bond Cleaning?

Bond cleaning is the act of preparing a rented property or rented space to be leased out again following an outgoing tenant. It is often known as end-of-lease cleaning, lease cleaning, or exit cleaning. While this may sound simple at first, the reality is that bond cleaning isn't quite as easy as steam mopping floors, washing down countertops, and using DIY solutions and baking soda to clean. It's far more thorough than regular cleaning services. The truth is that most professional cleaners use strong, highly acidic chemicals in their day-to-day work which can cause irreversible damage if used improperly. ## Know what you can and can't clean The first step in preparing your property for rental is knowing exactly what you need to do to get your property cleaned - for example, whether all the rooms need to be cleaned, or just a few key areas need professional help and thorough cleaning. This may sound like an obvious task, but it pays dividends down the line. For example, if you forget to remove excess paint from window or door frames then eventually these areas will become dirty. Undergoing a thorough pre-tenancy inspection is key here as it ensures that all potential defects are identified before new occupants move into the home. ## What is included in a bond clean? In addition to knowing what needs cleaning, it's also important to be aware of the extent of the bond cleaning job. While it isn't uncommon for a real estate agent to charge tenants for odd jobs when they move in or out, this practice is becoming more common in recent years as a way to cut costs before the final inspection of the property. Lease cleaners are typically charged with the following when it comes to end-of-lease cleaning. ### Carpet cleaning Cleaning carpets is one of the most common bond cleaning and end-of-lease cleaning tasks. The reason for this is that many tenants neglect to remove their shoes when moving in and out, which can cause significant matting. Furthermore, deep-set carpet stains are surprisingly common. Unfortunately, while there are times when a real estate agent will expect the tenant to pay for this service it's not necessarily fair if they've left piles of dirt or mud on your property. As such, hiring a professional cleaner ensures landlords get the carpets cleaned, while also protecting your carpets from damage. ### Walls and ceilings Another common task associated with bond cleaning is washing walls and ceilings using a steamer or pressure washer (depending on the depth of the dirt). This is particularly common with rental properties that have tenants who smoke inside the home - in such a situation, end-of-lease cleaning may also involve cleaning the curtains to get rid of the smell of smoke. In fact, your property manager may specifically require you to ensure your bond cleaning includes smoke removal services. ### Kitchen appliances The kitchen can bring some challenges during a bond clean, specifically when it comes to appliances. This is especially true for ovens, dishwashers, and your range hood, all of which are often dirtier on the inside than on their exterior surfaces. As such, many experienced cleaners opt to remove what appliances they can from the countertops prior to cleaning in order to prevent damage or breakage. Fixed parts of the kitchen like the range hood cannot be removed, and are cleaned where they are. ### Window cleaning Cleaning windows is another common bond cleaning task. This is because while getting clean windows is often overlooked as a simple task, it's surprisingly laborious. In addition to washing exterior surfaces, an experienced cleaner will also wipe down window tracks and inside panels which can be incredibly difficult without the right tools. You will also have to [clean fly screens](/guides/cleaners/how-to-clean-fly-screens) as well. ### Floors and carpets It goes without saying that floors and carpets are some of the most common areas for things to get dirty during a tenancy. As such, bond cleaners need to know how best to mop up excess dirt while removing stains without damaging surfaces in the process. This is especially important if your property has sealed wooden floors and skirting boards that aren't meant to be exposed to soap or chemicals of any kind for prolonged periods of time. ### Cupboard doors Oftentimes cupboard doors will get scuffed up through regular wear and tear. This is why many cleaners will use a toolkit to buff out small marks before wiping over the surface so it gleams when new occupants move in or out. Major marks will require more significant work. ### General paintwork maintenance Since tenants tend to neglect cleaning door and window frames, it's common for bond cleaners to take a damp cloth and wipe down this area in order to remove any dirt or grime that accumulates over time. This also helps the property stand out in comparison with other homes on the market so prospective tenants have a better chance of securing your home when they sign their lease. ### Oven cleaning Another common task associated with bond cleaning is oven cleaning, particularly for gas appliances that have been left dirty by the previous tenant. In order for the most efficient exit clean of these types of ovens, it's important to know which materials they're made out of and how deep the stains are before you start work. This will prevent damage or mishaps while also ensuring that your home looks its very best once new occupants move in. ## Sink cleaning Sink cleaning is often an afterthought for many homeowners, but it's a task that shouldn't be overlooked, which is why it's included in bond cleaning. In addition to the usual stains, soap scum and soap residue, and grime that will accumulate over time, bond cleaners also need to know how best to handle pipework behind your sink as this can typically get dirty or worn down from repeated use so that your property will be left with a clean sink. ### Floor tiles While tiles are a relatively easy surface to clean with the right tools, many tenants forget instructions on how to properly lease clean these types of surfaces. For example, most commercial-grade floor tiles have a wax finish which needs to be maintained in order for them to stand up against wear or damage. As such, bond cleaners typically take special care when these types of surfaces need to be handled with the utmost care to ensure their longevity. ### Furniture Although it's not something bond cleaners typically handle, some homeowners have bond cleaning included in the price so they can get their furniture steam cleaned before new occupants move in. This is particularly useful for upholstered furniture that gets susceptible to dust mites which are then transferred into your home. It's also an excellent way to remove stale odours from sitting inside furniture while also making everything look fresh and clean for when prospective tenants to come over to see your home. ### Bathroom cleaning When it comes to professional end-of-lease cleaning services, most cleaners will recommend that the bathroom be done last as this is the biggest job on the list. Cleaning bathrooms involves everything from toilets to tiles and windows, so it's important for cleaners to go through these spaces with a fine-tooth comb in order to hit every spot possible. ### Window tracks Window tracks are notorious for collecting dirt over time, especially if your property has hardwood floors or stone tile work around the exterior of the home. As such, many bond cleaners will use a special toolkit designed specifically for getting out difficult grime that accumulates behind window sills. ### Kitchen cleaning When it comes to the kitchen, bond cleaners recommend that homeowners have their appliances cleaned as well as the walls and cupboard exteriors. This is because food often gets stuck on these surfaces over time which can cause a stale smell to develop within your refrigerator or oven. In addition, cleaners also need to clean up hard-to-reach areas such as behind your stovetop so your home looks fresh and inviting when new tenants move in. If there is a glass splashback, [it should be spotless](/guides/cleaners/how-to-clean-a-glass-splashback). ### Floors In most cases, bond cleaners will vacuum all floor coverings before mopping as this ensures they're as clean as possible without having any dirt or grime left behind from previous occupants. In some cases, though, some bond cleaners are able to get away with just using a steam mop to deep clean your floors. Other cleaning services included in bond cleaning or lease cleaning often include: - Cleaning the light fittings, ceiling fans, and exhaust fans. - Cleaning the drain holes, including any oil residue stuck to them. - Cleaning sliding doors and skirting boards. - Cleaning the laundry room. - Cleaning other rooms in the home. If you have a cleaning checklist you need to be completed, you can check with your professional cleaning service if they offer all the additional services you need, such as [cleaning security screen doors](/guides/cleaners/how-to-clean-security-screen-doors). The more thorough end-of-lease cleaning services will ensure your entire property looks as good as new by the time they are done with the bond clean. ## How clean does a rental property need to be? It's important to know the extent of what is required for pre-tenancy inspections. Part 22 of the Residential Tenancies Act states that "the landlord must ensure that, at the end of the tenancy, the premises are returned to a condition comparable to that which existed at the start of the tenancy." While this rule appears simple enough on paper - that is, the bond cleaning requirements are that your property should be in the same condition it was when you first moved in - there are some grey areas around what constitutes "condition comparable". For example, if new tenants find stained carpet or full rubbish bins on the property upon moving in they may ask for rent concessions even if these issues were already present before they moved in. The various state governments can also make landlords liable under specific circumstances where they fail to meet minimum standards. For example, the NSW Department of Fair Trading has issued guidelines. Take a [look at their rules](https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/renting). The truth is that there's no shortage of scenarios where landlords can be held responsible. While your local state government should provide detailed guidelines on these responsibilities, it pays dividends by learning more about your rights as a renter before signing any tenancy agreement. Questions around bond cleaning and legal liabilities are complex and nuanced - but if you're looking to avoid problems down the line it pays dividends to learn more about what's required at pre-tenancy inspections. ## How much is a bond cleaner? Each state has different requirements for how much bond deposit must be paid to a landlord or property manager before a property can be rented. In general, a real estate agent or the property manager will inspect the property after tenants have moved out and provide you with a detailed report of what is required to pass pre-tenancy inspections. In most cases, bond cleaners are contracted as part of the entire process to ensure that properties are returned in good condition, particularly since landlords face hefty penalties if their properties aren't up to scratch. While there's no guaranteed way of knowing exactly how much bond cleanings will cost, it pays dividends by learning more about industry standards here. While each job differs from property to property, it's not uncommon for professional cleaning teams to charge between $100 and $200 per hour on top of a minimum bond cleaning fee which can be anywhere up to $300. While this sounds expensive, it's important to remember that your landlord or property owner may have significant financial penalties, such as lack of rent, if you fail to meet their pre-tenancy inspections. ## How long does a bond clean take? While every job varies on a case-by-case basis, most professional cleaners estimate that a bond clean can take anywhere up to two days. Completing specific tasks like deep cleaning the oven and floor polishing usually takes around half a day - but this depends entirely on the nature of the work involved (for example, some ovens may be more difficult to clean than others). Window cleaning is also generally done over one or two days depending on how many windows are on your property. Carpet cleaning is often one of the longest processes since it requires thorough vacuuming across floors as well as deodorizing and stain removal where needed. It's not uncommon for professional cleaners to spend anything up to four hours per room on carpet cleaning alone - so it pays dividends to learn more about industry standards here. ## What happens if you don't get a bond clean? If you fail to meet the minimum standards set by your landlord or property manager during the final inspection or before completing pre-tenancy inspections, they may decide to withhold money from your rental bond money. Holding money from your bond money is often considered a last resort since landlords are financially responsible for any damage caused during tenancy until the property is returned in good condition. A professional cleaner can help you avoid all of these problems and ensure that the last few days in your rented property go smoothly. If you're wondering how to find a lease cleaning company, you can search for a lease cleaning service online. You can check out the search results and site links - services follow up for your perusal when you visit the site. There should be a "call us now / address" section you can check for more information. You can use this "call us now / address" section to find out how to hire the end-of-lease cleaning service that sounds right for your needs. If this section isn't available you should see a "links/services/follow us" section that will give you contact information for the end-of-lease cleaning service of your choice. It's essential to keep in mind that a bond clean is not a magical fix-all. You should ensure that your rental property goes through regular cleaning while you live there. Regular cleaning will make it easier to return the property in the same condition it was when you got it to the property managers, will reduce the risk of your bond money from your bond deposit being withheld, and will make the bond clean that you do invest much more affordable. You can also give your property thorough general cleaning before hiring a cleaning service.