End-of-Lease Cleaning Checklist for Sydney Renters

Moving out is busy enough without a dispute over your bond. In NSW, tenants are generally expected to leave a property in the same condition it was in at the start of the tenancy, allowing for fair wear and tear. Your ingoing condition report is the benchmark, so dig it out before you start cleaning.

Use the checklist below as a guide, and check your lease for any extra terms (for example, some leases where pets were allowed include a carpet cleaning requirement). For the official rules, see NSW Fair Trading's renting information.

Before you start

Compare the property against your ingoing condition report and photos.
Remove all belongings, rubbish and anything left in cupboards, sheds or the garage.
Book any trades or professional cleans early — end-of-month dates fill up fast.
Work top to bottom in each room so dust falls onto areas you haven't cleaned yet.

Kitchen

Oven inside and out, including racks, trays and the glass door.
Cooktop, rangehood and rangehood filters (grease builds up here fast).
Inside and outside of all cupboards and drawers, including handles.
Benchtops, splashback and sink — descale taps and polish stainless steel.
Dishwasher filter and seals; fridge and freezer space if included with the property.

Bathrooms and laundry

Shower screens and tiles — remove soap scum and mould from grout and silicone.
Toilet inside and out, including the base and behind the seat hinges.
Vanity, mirror, cabinets and exhaust fan covers.
Laundry tub, behind and under where the washing machine and dryer stood, and the dryer lint area if built in.

Living areas and bedrooms

Skirting boards, door frames, doors and light switches.
Built-in wardrobes: shelves, rails, tracks and mirrored doors.
Marks on walls — spot-clean gently and test first so you don't damage paint.
Light fittings, ceiling fans and air-conditioner vents.

Floors and carpets

Vacuum and mop hard floors, including corners and under where furniture stood.
Steam clean carpets if they're soiled, if your lease requires it, or if the carpets were professionally cleaned at the start of the tenancy. Keep the receipt.
Treat stains early — the longer they sit, the harder they are to lift. See our guide on how often to steam clean carpet.

Windows and outdoor areas

Windows inside and out where safely reachable, plus tracks, frames and sills.
Flyscreens and blinds.
Balconies, courtyards, patios and garage floors — sweep and remove cobwebs and oil stains.
Mow and weed if the garden is your responsibility under the lease.

Final walk-through

Walk through every room with your condition report in hand.
Take dated photos of each room once it's clean.
Return all keys, remotes and access cards.

Want it done for you?

Ora Group provides end-of-lease cleaning for houses, units and townhouses across all of Sydney, with optional carpet steam cleaning in the same visit. Request a free quote or call +61 412 212 431.

End-of-lease cleaning checklist for Sydney renters