If you are preparing to move out of a rental property in Queensland, professional bond cleaning is not automatically mandatory. However, you must leave the premises in substantially the same condition they were in when your tenancy began, excluding fair wear and tear. You can clean the property yourself or hire professional bond cleaners, provided the final condition meets your tenancy obligations.
What Does Bond Cleaning Mean for You as a Tenant?
Bond cleaning, also known as end-of-lease cleaning or vacate cleaning, is the thorough cleaning you complete before returning the keys to your property manager or landlord.
It usually involves more than your regular weekly clean. You may need to clean areas that are easily overlooked during your tenancy, including window tracks, skirting boards, ceiling fans, cupboards, ovens, range hoods, light fittings and air-conditioning vents.
The purpose is not to make an older rental property look brand new. Instead, you need to return it as closely as possible to the condition it was in when you moved in, allowing for normal deterioration over time.
Is Bond Cleaning Mandatory in Queensland?
When asking “is bond cleaning mandatory?”, it is important to separate your cleaning responsibility from the decision to hire a professional cleaner.
You are required to leave the property reasonably clean and in substantially the same condition as it was at the beginning of your tenancy, excluding fair wear and tear. However, you are generally allowed to decide whether you complete the cleaning yourself or engage a professional bond cleaning company.
A DIY bond clean may be acceptable if you have the time, equipment and experience to clean the property thoroughly. However, a quick surface clean may not be enough, particularly if you have lived in the home for several years, have pets or are moving out of a larger property.
Your Entry Condition Report should be your main reference. It can help you identify the original condition of each room and distinguish between pre-existing issues and cleaning responsibilities that apply to you.
Can Your Property Manager Require Professional Cleaning?
Your tenancy agreement generally cannot require you to use a particular bond cleaner, pay a predetermined cleaning fee or leave the property in better condition than it was when you moved in.
Your property manager is primarily concerned with the final condition of the rental property, rather than whether you cleaned it yourself or hired a professional cleaning company.
However, you should carefully review your tenancy agreement and any additional approved terms before moving out. Certain lawful conditions may apply in specific circumstances, particularly when pets, carpets or pest treatments are involved.
Even when professional cleaning is not required, you remain responsible for ensuring that all necessary cleaning tasks are completed before you return the keys.
Your responsibility generally depends on the condition of the carpets when your tenancy began and their condition when you move out. If the carpets were clean when you moved in, you need to return them to a comparable standard, allowing for fair wear and tear.
You usually cannot be forced to use a cleaner nominated by the property manager or pay a fixed carpet-cleaning fee.
Different conditions may apply if you had an approved pet in the property. A valid pet-related term may require carpet cleaning or pest treatment at the end of your tenancy. Before booking any services, check your tenancy agreement, pet approval conditions and Entry Condition Report.
What Counts as Fair Wear and Tear?
When preparing for your final inspection, you are not expected to repair deterioration caused by normal use, ageing or exposure to the environment.
Examples of fair wear and tear may include:
Gradually faded curtains
Carpet worn through normal foot traffic
Minor deterioration caused by the property’s age
Faded paint caused by sunlight
Small cracks caused by natural building movement
However, fair wear and tear does not normally include dirt, built-up grease, avoidable stains or damage caused by you, your guests or your pets.
For example, naturally flattened carpet may be considered fair wear and tear, while an untreated food, drink or pet stain may be your responsibility. Similarly, an older oven does not have to look new, but grease and food residue should still be removed.
What Should You Clean Before Moving Out?
Before beginning your end-of-lease clean, walk through the property with your Entry Condition Report and any photographs you took when you moved in.
Your bond cleaning checklist may include:
Cleaning windows, frames and window tracks
Wiping skirting boards, doors and light fittings
Removing dust from ceiling fans and air vents
Cleaning inside wardrobes, drawers and cupboards
Degreasing the oven, stovetop and rangehood
Cleaning kitchen benchtops, splashbacks and sinks
Scrubbing showers, toilets, mirrors and bathroom tiles
Vacuuming carpets and washing hard floors
Removing cobwebs from walls and ceilings
Clearing rubbish and personal belongings
Cleaning balconies, patios and outdoor areas
Tidying lawns or gardens where you are responsible for maintenance
You should also collect every key, remote control and access card that was supplied during your tenancy.
How Can You Protect Your Rental Bond?
Once you have completed the clean, inspect every room before returning the keys. Open cupboards, check corners, test your view of windows and look closely at areas that may have been missed.
You should also:
Complete the Exit Condition Report carefully
Take dated photographs and videos of the property
Keep copies of cleaning receipts
Save emails exchanged with your property manager
Compare the final condition with the Entry Condition Report
Report any unresolved maintenance issues in writing
Photographs and condition reports may be useful if there is a disagreement about cleaning, damage or the rental bond.
Should You Hire a Professional Bond Cleaner?
Although you are not automatically required to hire a professional cleaner, doing so may make your move easier.
When you are packing your belongings, organising removalists, changing addresses and preparing your next home, completing a detailed vacate clean can become overwhelming. Professional bond cleaners can handle time-consuming tasks and focus on areas that renters commonly overlook.
However, you should still inspect the completed work before returning the keys. As the tenant, you remain responsible for ensuring that the property is handed back in the required condition.
Prepare for Your Move with Sparkleworks Cleaning Services
If you are moving out of a rental property on the Gold Coast, Sparkleworks Cleaning Services can help you manage the cleaning before your final inspection. A professional end-of-lease clean can save you time, reduce moving stress and help you present the property appropriately when handing back the keys.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Review your tenancy agreement and contact the Queensland Residential Tenancies Authority for guidance relating to your circumstances.
