End of Lease Cleaning Checklist (NSW): How to Get Your Bond Back in 2025

Moving house is stressful enough without worrying about whether you’ll get your rental bond back. In NSW, your landlord or property manager must return your bond unless there’s a valid reason not to — and one of the most common reasons for partial bond loss is insufficient cleaning.

This guide will walk you through a room-by-room cleaning checklist, highlight NSW requirements, and share tips for saving time (and stress). Plus, we’ll show you how Palmers Relocations can take this off your plate entirely if you’d prefer to focus on packing and moving.

Know Your Obligations in NSW

According to NSW Fair Trading and the Residential Tenancies Act 2010, tenants must leave the property “reasonably clean” at the end of a tenancy. This means:

Removing all rubbish.
Cleaning all rooms, fixtures, and appliances.
Returning the property in the same condition it was in at the start of the lease, allowing for fair wear and tear.

You don’t necessarily need to pay for professional cleaning unless it’s specified in your tenancy agreement (and only in certain situations). However, most tenants choose to do a full “bond clean” to avoid disputes.

Room-by-Room Cleaning Checklist

1. Walls, Windows, and Doors

Use sugar soap or a gentle cleaner to remove scuff marks from walls.
Patch small nail holes and touch up paint if necessary.
Clean windows (inside and out), sills, and tracks.
Wipe down doors, handles, and light switches.

2. Kitchen

Clean stovetop, burners, and rangehood filters.
Use oven cleaner to scrub the inside of the oven.
Wipe inside cupboards, drawers, and shelves.
Clean splashbacks and benchtops.
Pull out the fridge and clean behind/underneath (if supplied).
Mop the floor, paying attention to grease build-up near the stove.

3. Bathroom & Laundry

Scrub shower screens, tiles, grout, and remove soap scum.
Clean and disinfect the toilet (inside and outside).
Polish mirrors and wipe down vanity, drawers, and taps.
Clear drains of hair or debris.
Clean exhaust fan covers.
Mop floors with disinfectant.

4. Bedrooms & Living Areas

Dust and wipe all skirting boards, shelves, blinds, and light fittings.
Clean inside cupboards and wardrobes.
Vacuum and steam-clean carpets (if required by lease or if heavily soiled).
Wipe ceiling fans and air vents.

5. Outdoor Areas (If Applicable)

Sweep balconies, patios, or decks.
Remove cobwebs from eaves.
Mow the lawn, trim edges, and remove weeds.
Empty outdoor bins.

Time-Saving Tips

Work top-to-bottom: Clean ceilings and fans first, floors last.
Tackle kitchen and bathroom first: They take the longest.
Leave floors until the end: Vacuum and mop as the final step.
Take photos: Document your cleaning efforts to avoid disputes.

Completing Your Lease: Administrative Steps

Getting your rental bond back isn’t just about cleaning—it’s also about covering the required administrative steps:

Pay all rent up to the end of your notice period, or your moving date if breaking the lease early.
Repair any damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Remove all personal belongings from the property.
Sign off on the condition report with your landlord or property manager.
Return all keys and other items provided at the start of your lease.
Submit your bond refund claim using Rental Bonds Online. The landlord or agent has up to 14 days to approve your claim.

By completing these steps, you ensure your landlord has no reason to withhold your bond—and combined with a thorough end-of-lease clean, you’re giving yourself the best chance of a full refund.

When to Hire a Professional

At Palmers Relocations, we understand that packing and moving are already big jobs and can take a lot of time and effort. As part of our added value services, we offer end-of-lease bond cleaning through our trusted cleaning partners — a service which we’ve provided for over 10 years.

Our clients benefit from:

Corporate rates: Better pricing than booking direct.
Coordinated service: We can schedule cleaning on the same day as your move or plan around your moving date.
Peace of mind: The property is cleaned to a high standard, and if the real estate agent requests any follow-up, the cleaning company will address it.

If you’d like us to arrange exit cleaning for your move, simply let us know when you book, and we’ll help arrange it for you.
Pro tip: Start preparing at least two weeks before your move to secure your preferred cleaning dates.

📧 Send us an email at moving@palmersrelocations.com.au or call us on 1300 363 916 — our team will be happy to arrange everything for you.

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