Moving out is stressful enough without worrying about your bond. Most bond disputes in NSW come down to one thing: cleaning. This checklist covers what property managers actually check at the final inspection, so nothing gets missed.
Before you start
Get the property empty first. Cleaning around boxes and furniture means going over the same rooms twice. Once everything is out, work top to bottom and back to front: ceilings and light fittings before benches, benches before floors, and finish at the front door.
- Grab a copy of your ingoing condition report and compare room by room
- Check your lease for any professional carpet cleaning clause
- Book the clean for one or two days before your final inspection
Kitchen
The kitchen is where most inspections fail. Grease builds up in places you don’t see day to day, and property managers know exactly where to look.
- Oven, racks, trays and glass door, inside and out
- Cooktop, knobs and the range hood filters
- Inside all cupboards, drawers and the pantry
- Splashback, tiles and grout lines
- Sink, taps and the dishwasher filter
“The range hood and the oven seal are the two things I check first. If those are clean, the rest of the kitchen usually is too.”
Sydney property manager
Bathrooms & laundry
Soap scum, mould and hard water marks are the usual culprits. Give products time to work before scrubbing and you’ll save a lot of effort.
- Spray the shower screen, tiles and grout, and leave it to soak
- Clean the toilet inside and out, including the base and behind the cistern
- Scrub the shower, then rinse and squeegee the glass dry
- Wipe mirrors, vanity, cabinets and exhaust fan covers
- In the laundry, clean the tub, taps and behind where the machines stood
Living areas & bedrooms
These rooms look simple, but dust collects on every horizontal surface. Don’t forget the things above eye level.
- Skirting boards, door frames, light switches and power points
- Inside wardrobes, including shelves and tracks
- Windows, sills and tracks, plus blinds or curtains
- Wall marks, carefully spot-cleaned without damaging paint
- Carpets vacuumed thoroughly, and steam cleaned if your lease requires it
Outdoor areas
Balconies, courtyards and garages are part of the property too. Sweep them out, remove cobwebs, wipe outdoor light fittings and clear any rubbish or garden waste you’ve left behind.
Before the final inspection
Walk through the property with your condition report one last time. Open every cupboard, check every light works and take dated photos of each room as evidence of how you left it.
Short on time? Our end of lease cleaning service follows a checklist built around what Sydney agents inspect, and we’ll come back if anything is flagged.
