The Complete End of Lease Cleaning Checklist NSW — What Real Estate Agents Actually Inspect

Getting your bond back in full after a tenancy in NSW comes down to one thing: leaving the property in the same condition it was in when you moved in. In practice, the biggest reason bonds are withheld is cleaning — specifically, cleaning that doesn't meet the standard real estate agents and property managers actually inspect to.

This checklist covers every area of a typical NSW property, what agents specifically look for, and the common mistakes that result in bond deductions. Use it as your definitive guide before your final inspection.

Kitchen

The kitchen is the most scrutinised room in any end of lease inspection. Agents know it's the area most likely to have accumulated grime, and they look at it closely.

• Oven interior — including racks, trays, door glass and the grill element. Carbon build-up inside ovens is one of the most common causes of bond deductions.
• Rangehood — filters, interior and exterior. Grease build-up in rangehood filters is frequently missed by tenants cleaning themselves.
• Stovetop — all burners, burner grates and the surround. Baked-on grease must be removed, not just wiped around.
• Benchtops — all surfaces wiped and sanitised, including behind appliances and at the wall.
• Sink and tap — scrubbed, descaled and polished. Calcium build-up around taps is commonly flagged.
• Splashback — fully degreased and clean.
• Cabinet interiors — wiped clean, crumbs removed, shelves clean. Agents open cupboards.
• Cabinet exteriors and handles — degreased and wiped.
• Dishwasher — interior including filter, door seal and spray arms.
• Microwave — interior and exterior.
• Refrigerator space — floor and walls behind where the fridge sat.
• Floors — vacuumed and mopped including under appliances if accessible.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are inspected for mould, calcium build-up, grout condition and overall hygiene. Agents run fingers along grout lines and check behind taps.

• Shower — screens or curtain tracks, tiles, grout, shower head, drain. Mould in grout is a common issue.
• Bath — full scrub, no residue, taps and overflow cleaned.
• Toilet — bowl, under the rim, seat, lid, base and behind the toilet. All surfaces disinfected.
• Vanity — basin, taps, mirror, cabinet interior and all surfaces.
• Tiles — all wall tiles wiped and grout cleaned.
• Exhaust fan — dust removed from cover and fan blade.
• Floors — mopped including corners and behind the toilet.
• Towel rails, toilet roll holder and all fittings — wiped clean.

All Bedrooms

• Wardrobe interiors — shelves, rails, drawers and floor inside wardrobe vacuumed and wiped.
• All surfaces — dusted and wiped including windowsills, bedside areas, dresser tops.
• Skirting boards — wiped along their full length.
• Door frames and tops of doors — dusted.
• Light fittings and ceiling fans — dust removed.
• Blinds or curtains — wiped or vacuumed.
• Windows — internal glass cleaned, tracks and sills wiped.
• Floors — vacuumed (carpet) or vacuumed and mopped (hard floors).

Living Areas and Hallways

• All surfaces dusted and wiped — shelves, entertainment units, windowsills.
• Skirting boards — the full length of all living areas and hallways.
• Light switches and power points — wiped and disinfected. Agents touch these.
• Doors and door handles — wiped front and back, handles polished.
• Windows — internal glass, sills and tracks throughout.
• Ceiling fans and light fittings — dust removed.
• Floors — vacuumed and mopped throughout, including under furniture if accessible.
• Stairs (if applicable) — each step vacuumed or mopped, banisters wiped.

Laundry

• Washing machine interior — drum, door seal and detergent drawer.
• Dryer interior if present — lint filter cleaned.
• Sink and taps — scrubbed and descaled.
• Shelving and cabinetry — wiped clean.
• Floors — vacuumed and mopped.

Garage and Outdoor Areas

• Garage floor — swept and any oil stains addressed.
• Garage walls and shelving — cobwebs removed, surfaces wiped.
• Balcony or patio — swept and wiped down.
• Outdoor areas — garden beds returned to reasonable condition, no excessive rubbish.

Throughout the Entire Property

• Cobwebs — removed from all ceilings, corners and light fittings throughout.
• Walls — spot cleaned for marks and scuffs throughout.
• Air conditioning filters — cleaned and/or replaced.
• All bins emptied and cleaned.
• All keys, remotes and access devices accounted for and returned.

The Most Common Reasons Bonds Are Withheld in NSW

Should You Use a Professional End of Lease Cleaner?

If you're trying to get your full bond back, a professional end of lease cleaner is almost always worth the investment. Most NSW leases require the property to be returned in professionally cleaned condition — which means professional carpet cleaning if carpets are present, and a standard of clean that matches what the property received before you moved in.

A professional bond clean from Mr Reliable's comes with a 72-hour re-clean guarantee — if your agent requests a re-clean with specific written feedback within 72 hours of our clean, we return and address it at no additional charge. We have maintained a 100% bond-back success rate. Learn more about our end of lease cleaning service.