End of Lease Cleaning Checklist Victoria | Room by Room

What Victorian Property Managers Actually Check at Final Inspection

Most tenants clean their rental the way they'd clean before having guests over. Property managers inspect it the way they'd check a property before putting it back on the market. Those are two very different standards, and the gap between them is why bonds get withheld.

I've cleaned rentals across Melbourne, from apartments in Carlton and Fitzroy to family homes in Glen Waverley, Camberwell, and Point Cook. The same items come up on every agent's report when they're not done properly. Here's the room-by-room list that actually matters.

Kitchen

The kitchen causes more bond disputes than any other room. Agents in suburbs like Toorak, South Yarra, and Brighton tend to be particularly thorough here because the properties are higher value and landlords expect a higher standard.

• Oven: Pull out the racks and clean them separately. The oven floor, the roof of the cavity, the door glass inside and out, and the seal around the door all need attention. Baked-on grease won't come off with a quick wipe.
• Rangehood: Remove the filter and degrease it. The underside of the rangehood, the fan grille, and any surrounding cabinetry above the cooktop should be wiped down. This is one of the most commonly missed items.
• Stovetop and burners: Gas burner caps need to come off. Electric elements need the drip trays scrubbed.
• Cupboards and drawers: Inside and out, including the edges of doors and the hinges.
• Dishwasher: Clean the filter, wipe the door seal, and run a cleaning cycle.
• Sink and tapware: Remove limescale. In areas like Box Hill and Kew where the water is harder, this takes more work than people expect.

Bathrooms and Wet Areas

Agents spend a lot of time in bathrooms. Mould, soap scum, and limescale on tiles and grout are the main issues.

• Shower screen: Both sides, including the bottom rail and the seal. Waterspots on glass show up clearly under inspection lighting.
• Grout: If there's mould in the grout, it needs to be treated, not just wiped. A surface wipe leaves staining behind.
• Toilet: Under the rim, behind the bowl, the base, and the cistern lid and body.
• Exhaust fan: Remove the cover and clean out the dust. This is almost always overlooked.
• Tapware and showerhead: Descale properly.
• Vanity: Inside the cabinet, around the basin, and the mirror edge-to-edge.

Bedrooms and Living Areas

These rooms look straightforward but the details are where agents pick up issues.

• Walls: Scuff marks, fingerprints around light switches, and marks near door handles. These are noted on every condition report. A damp microfibre cloth removes most scuffs without damaging paint.
• Skirting boards: Dust and grime build up on the top edge and in the corners. Agents run a finger along them. Every time.
• Window tracks: The tracks at the bottom of sliding windows accumulate dirt, dead insects, and mould. A toothbrush and vacuum work well here. This is another commonly missed item in properties from Richmond through to Essendon and Preston.
• Blinds: Wipe each slat. Fabric blinds may need professional attention if stained.
• Built-in wardrobes: Shelves, rails, and the floor of the wardrobe, including corners.
• Light fittings: Dust and insects collect inside covers. Remove the cover, clean it, and replace it.
• Ceiling fans: Both sides of each blade.

Laundry

• Washing machine: Clean the drum, the seal, the detergent drawer, and the filter if accessible.
• Dryer: Clean the lint filter and wipe the drum.
• Trough and tapware: Descale and remove any residue.
• Cupboards and shelving: Inside and out.

Garage, Balcony, and Outdoor Areas

Tenants in newer suburbs like Craigieburn, Werribee, and Point Cook often have larger outdoor areas. These are included in the lease and need to be left clean.

• Sweep and wash down the garage floor.
• Clean the balcony or patio surface, including the balustrade and any sliding door tracks.
• Remove all personal items and rubbish.

A Few Things That Catch People Out

Carpet steam cleaning is required by most Victorian leases if carpets were professionally cleaned at the start of your tenancy. Check your entry condition report. Some agents also require professional pest control, particularly in properties with pets.

Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, you can't be required to use a specific cleaning company, but the standard of cleanliness is what matters. If an agent books a cleaner after your vacate and charges it to your bond, they need receipts and the work must have been genuinely necessary.

When to Call a Professional

Our end of lease cleaning service is built around this exact checklist. We work in rentals across Melbourne, including apartments in St Kilda and Hawthorn, townhouses in Footscray, and larger homes in Kew and Brighton. If you want a precise quote based on the size and condition of your property, fill in the quick form at melbournecleaningpartners.com.au and we'll text you back with an exact figure.