The complete end of lease cleaning checklist for Victorian renters

Victorian renters generally must leave the property reasonably clean and in the same condition as at the start of the rental agreement, allowing for fair wear and tear. The entry condition report is the key reference. Consumer Affairs Victoria explains the cleaning rules. Use this practical list to plan your own clean or compare a professional quote; it is not a substitute for your agreement or legal advice.

Before you start

• Do the clean after everything is moved out — you can't clean around furniture.
• Dig out your entry condition report. You're cleaning back to that state, not to "brand new".
• Take date-stamped photos of every room when you finish — your proof if there's ever a dispute.

Kitchen

• Oven degreased inside and out — racks, trays, grill and glass door
• Cooktop, rangehood and filter
• Splashback and wall tiles
• All cupboards and drawers, inside and out
• Sink and taps descaled; bench tops; dishwasher

Bathrooms & laundry

• Shower, screens, tiles and grout — mould and soap scum removed
• Bath, basin and taps
• Toilet, inside, out and behind
• Mirrors and cabinets; exhaust fans dusted
• Laundry trough and behind the machines

Living areas & bedrooms

• Walls spot-cleaned (marks and scuffs)
• Skirting boards, architraves and doors wiped
• Light switches and power points
• Cobwebs and ceiling corners
• Wardrobes and shelves, inside
• Windows inside, plus tracks and sills; blinds dusted

Floors

• Hard floors vacuumed and mopped
• Carpets vacuumed and cleaned to the condition required by the entry report and rental agreement. Consumer Affairs Victoria says professional cleaning can only be required in defined circumstances. If steam cleaning is selected, keep the receipt. RNS includes carpet steam cleaning for the carpeted rooms selected in the written end-of-lease quote.

Outside (if it's your responsibility)

• Balcony or courtyard swept; garage swept and de-cobwebbed; bins rinsed

The two things renters miss most

1. Oven and rangehood grease. Baked-on grease is the most common reason a clean gets rejected. 2. Window tracks and flooring requirements. Check both against the condition report and written rental agreement.

DIY or hire a pro?

Cleaning an empty home can take substantial time and equipment. A professional end-of-lease clean from RNS is listed from $330 including GST, with carpeted rooms included when selected in the written quote. Compare property sizes and inclusions in the Melbourne end-of-lease cleaning cost guide. Renters can also review local preparation steps on the Berwick end-of-lease cleaning page, the Box Hill end-of-lease cleaning page, the Carlton North end-of-lease cleaning page, the Clayton end-of-lease cleaning page, the Craigieburn end-of-lease cleaning page, the Dandenong end-of-lease cleaning page, the Elsternwick end-of-lease cleaning page, the Fitzroy North end-of-lease cleaning page, the Footscray end-of-lease cleaning page, the Laverton end-of-lease cleaning page, the Malvern end-of-lease cleaning page, the Melton end-of-lease cleaning page, the Point Cook end-of-lease cleaning page, the Sunshine end-of-lease cleaning page, the Tarneit end-of-lease cleaning page, the Wantirna end-of-lease cleaning page, the Wantirna South end-of-lease cleaning page and the Windsor end-of-lease cleaning page. A cleaning service cannot guarantee a bond outcome; confirm the current RNS re-clean terms and check the Melbourne service-area page before booking.