Can Landlords Force Professional Bond Cleaning? Know Your Rights Before You Move Out
“Do I really need to hire a professional cleaner before I move out?”
If this question has crossed your mind, you’re not alone. Bond cleaning—or end of lease cleaning—is one of the most disputed issues between landlords and tenants in Australia. The good news? In most cases, you are not required to hire professional cleaners unless it’s clearly stated in your lease and supported by tenancy law.
What is Bond Cleaning?
Bond cleaning, also known as vacate or end-of-lease cleaning, is the deep clean done before a tenant vacates a rental property. The aim is to return the property in a clean, liveable state, similar to how it was at the start of the tenancy—excluding fair wear and tear.
Common cleaning tasks include:
- Cleaning the oven, rangehood, and stovetop
- Scrubbing bathroom tiles and fixtures
- Washing windows and wiping sills
- Dusting skirting boards, blinds, and ceiling fans
- Vacuuming and mopping all floors
Are You Legally Required to Hire a Professional Cleaner?
No, not by default. Australian tenancy law only requires that tenants return the property in a “reasonably clean” condition. Unless your lease has a legally valid clause (like for carpet cleaning due to pets or a prior professional clean), you are not obligated to hire professionals.
Landlords cannot demand professional cleaning unless:
- The lease includes a lawful clause specifically requiring it
- The property was professionally cleaned before your tenancy
- You had pets and there’s a pest treatment clause
What Landlords Can and Cannot Demand
| Situation | Landlord’s Request | Legally Enforceable? |
|---|---|---|
| Dirty kitchen or bathroom | Request cleaning or deduct cost | Yes |
| Stained carpets from pets | Request professional carpet cleaning | Yes |
| No visible dirt, just wear | Request professional cleaning | No |
| Clause requires steam cleaning | Enforce cleaning regardless of condition | Often No |
| General cleaning clause without legal support | Force professional clean | No |
Can You Clean the Property Yourself?
Yes. DIY cleaning is completely acceptable if the property meets the “reasonably clean” standard. Just make sure to:
- Use an end-of-lease cleaning checklist
- Clean thoroughly, not just surface wipe
- Take clear, timestamped photos of every cleaned area
Do You Need to Provide Cleaning Receipts?
No—unless your lease requires it. If you cleaned the property yourself, you won’t have receipts and that’s fine. What matters is the result, not the method.
Receipts may help if:
- The lease includes a clause (e.g. pest treatment for pets)
- There’s a dispute and you want to prove the cleaning occurred
Bond Disputes Over Cleaning: What to Expect
If a landlord tries to claim cleaning costs from your bond, they must provide evidence:
- Photos and the exit condition report
- Invoices or quotes from a cleaning service
You can dispute this by providing your own condition report and cleaning documentation. If the dispute isn’t resolved, it can be escalated to your state tribunal (e.g. VCAT, NCAT).
Top Tips to Maximise Your Bond Refund
- Start early: Clean room by room before move-out day
- Follow a checklist: Use a downloadable end-of-lease cleaning guide
- Document everything: Take timestamped photos and keep your entry condition report
- Fix small issues on the spot: If flagged during inspection, ask to correct it immediately
- Vet cleaners properly: If hiring help, choose a company with good reviews and a re-clean guarantee
If You Had Pets
Most leases include a clause requiring pest control or carpet cleaning after pets. This is generally enforceable, and you may need to provide a receipt.
Common Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving behind rubbish or personal items
- Forgetting to clean inside appliances like ovens and dishwashers
- Overlooking blinds, light fittings, and fans
- Assuming the cleaner did a perfect job—always check!
Conclusion
Tenants are not required to hire professional cleaners unless their lease includes a legally valid clause. As long as the property is returned in a reasonably clean condition, and you’ve documented your efforts, you’re within your rights.
If disputes occur, you can challenge deductions with your own evidence. And remember—normal wear and tear is not grounds for a cleaning charge. Dirt, grime, and neglect are.
Plan ahead, clean thoroughly, document everything—and move out with confidence.
FAQs
Q: Do I have to hire a professional cleaner at the end of lease?
A: Not unless your lease requires it and it’s legally enforceable. “Reasonably clean” is the legal standard.
Q: My lease says I must steam-clean the carpets. Do I have to?
A: Only if carpets are in worse condition than when you moved in, or if there are pets and pest control is required. Blanket clauses are often unenforceable.
Q: Do I need to provide receipts for cleaning?
A: No, unless the lease explicitly demands it. DIY cleaning is legal if the results meet expectations.
Q: Can my landlord take part of my bond for cleaning?
A: Only if the property wasn’t cleaned to a reasonable standard. They must show evidence (photos, reports, invoices). You can dispute unfair deductions.
Looking for a complete cleaning checklist or guidance for your final inspection? Stay tuned for our downloadable end of lease checklist and bond refund toolkit.