Bond cleaning in Brisbane, done to the inspection checklist.
Ring with your address, bedrooms, bathrooms and inspection date, and we'll tell you what it takes to get it done in time.
What bond cleaning actually is
A bond clean is a deeper, inspection-focused clean of a rental property you're vacating — different from a routine house clean, because it's judged against a checklist rather than just "looking clean".
In Queensland it goes by a few names: bond cleaning, end of lease cleaning, exit cleaning, or vacate cleaning. They all mean the same thing — getting the property back to the condition it needs to be in for your bond to be refunded.
What the rules say
Paraphrased from the Queensland RTA, not copied. Always check the source pages linked below for the exact wording.
As a tenant, you're expected to leave the property in the same condition it was in when you moved in, less what's called fair wear and tear. Fair wear and tear does not cover dirt, grime, grease, or damage that built up during the tenancy — that's on the tenant to fix before handover.
The baseline for comparison is the entry condition report you and the property manager completed (with any photos) when you moved in. At the end of the tenancy, an exit condition report — Form 14a for general tenancies — is completed and compared against it.
You are not required to hire a professional cleaner. The RTA is clear that you can do the clean yourself. If you do decide to hire someone, the RTA's own advice is to make sure they're reputable.
Sources: Queensland RTA: cleaning when ending a tenancy and Queensland RTA: exit condition reports.
Room-by-room checklist
This is a typical inspection checklist, grouped by room. Ring to confirm exactly what Beacon includes for your property.
Kitchen
- Oven, cooktop and rangehood filter, inside and out
- Splashback and benchtops
- Inside and outside of cupboards and drawers
- Sink, taps and any visible limescale
- Floors, including behind where the bin usually sits
Bathroom and laundry
- Shower screen, tiles and grout
- Taps, shower head and any scale build-up
- Toilet, inside and out
- Mirrors and any cabinets
- Washing machine and dryer seals, if supplied
Bedrooms and living areas
- Skirting boards and door frames
- Light switches, power points and light fittings
- Built-in wardrobes, inside and out
- Ceiling fans
- Floors vacuumed and/or mopped
Windows and blinds
- Glass, inside surfaces
- Window tracks and sills
- Flyscreens where fitted
- Blinds, dusted slat by slat
Whole-house details
- Cobwebs, corners and ceiling edges
- Air conditioning filters and vents
- Entry, hallways and any garage floor
- Wall marks near switches and doorways
This is a typical inspection checklist. Ring to confirm exactly what Beacon includes for your property.
Carpets and pest treatment
Many property managers also ask for professional carpet cleaning at the end of a tenancy, and where pets were kept, pest treatment. Whether Beacon offers these is something to confirm when you call.
Ask us about carpets and pest treatment when you call.
Inspection day
A few things that help, no matter who does the clean:
- Keep your entry condition report handy, in case anything's questioned
- Take photos of the finished clean before you hand back the keys
- Keep any receipts for cleaning or repairs
- Book the clean so it's finished well before the inspection, not the morning of
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to use a professional cleaner?
No. The Queensland RTA is clear that tenants aren't required to hire a professional and can clean the property themselves.
What's the difference between bond and domestic cleaning?
A bond clean is a one-off, deeper clean judged against an inspection checklist when you're moving out. A domestic clean is a regular clean for a home you're still living in. See our domestic cleaning page for the comparison.
What should I have ready when I call?
The address or suburb, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, your move-out date, and your inspection date if you know it.
Does the clean include carpets?
Ask when you ring — carpet cleaning and pest treatment aren't confirmed as standard inclusions.
Where do you work?
Greater Brisbane. Not sure if we cover your suburb? Ring and ask.