Guides
End of lease cleaning checklist for Victorian rentals
7 min read · Updated 22 August 2026
A bond clean is judged against the condition report you signed at the start of the lease, not against 'clean enough'. That's the whole trick: you're matching a document.
Use this checklist to brief a cleaner properly, or to work through the place yourself before the final inspection.
Before anyone starts cleaning
Do these three things first and the clean itself gets much faster and cheaper.
- Move everything out, including the shed, balcony and under-sink cupboards
- Pull out your entry condition report and photos so you know the original standard
- Book the clean for after the last item leaves, not the same morning as the inspection
Kitchen
This is where most bond disputes start.
- Oven, racks, trays and griller — degreased inside and out
- Rangehood filters and the wall behind the cooktop
- Inside and outside of all cupboards and drawers, including runners
- Fridge cavity, dishwasher filter and seals
- Sink, taps and drain, descaled
Bathroom and laundry
Soap scum and mould are the two things agents look for first.
- Shower screen, tiles and grout, mould treated not just wiped
- Toilet including behind the base and the cistern
- Exhaust fan covers, mirrors and cabinets
- Laundry trough, taps and washing machine hoses area
Living areas and bedrooms
- Walls spot-cleaned for marks, scuffs and picture-hook filling if allowed
- Skirting boards, architraves, door tops and light switches
- Windows inside, tracks and sills, plus flyscreens
- Blinds or curtains dusted; curtains washed if the lease requires it
- Wardrobe interiors, shelves and mirror doors
- Carpets steam cleaned, and hard floors mopped last
Outside
- Balcony or courtyard swept, cobwebs removed
- Lawns mowed and edges trimmed if the property has a yard
- Bins emptied and rinsed
- Garage or shed swept out
What to budget and how payment works
Bond cleans sit at the upper end of Melbourne cleaning budgets, and carpet steam cleaning is normally a separate line. Ask offers to state clearly whether carpets are included.
Sidekickk adds a 5% service fee on top of your budget when you post, and 5% comes out of the worker's payout. There is no subscription and no per-offer charge.
Common questions
- Do I have to steam clean the carpets?
- Check your lease. Many Victorian leases require professional carpet cleaning if you had pets or if the carpets were professionally cleaned at the start of the tenancy.
- What if the agent asks for a re-clean?
- Get the agent's list in writing, then send it to the same worker. Because payment is held in escrow until you mark the job complete, you have room to have issues fixed first.
- How long does a bond clean take?
- A two bedroom apartment is commonly a full day for one cleaner, or half a day for a pair. Add time for ovens and carpets.