End of lease cleaning in Sydney and the NSW standard
The standard
The NSW standard agreement asks you to leave the place reasonably clean, having regard to how it was at the start, and as near as possible to that condition, fair wear and tear excepted (clauses 18.2 and 18.3).
Who does the clean
That's up to you. The rule sets a standard, and a tenancy agreement can't require a professional carpet clean unless the landlord agreed to a pet inside and the clean is reasonable for that pet.
Your bond
It's held by NSW Fair Trading, and you claim it through Rental Bonds Online. Your landlord or agent has up to 14 days to accept. If they don't dispute it, Fair Trading pays after 14 days.
If it's disputed
A landlord who disputes your claim has to apply to NCAT within 14 days of receiving the notice, and tell Fair Trading in writing. Cleaning can be a ground: the claim would say the home wasn't left to the standard it started at.
Exit clean or bond cleaning in Sydney? It's one job
You'll see all three on Sydney ads and quotes. They mean the same thing: a one-off clean of the whole home once your belongings are out, before the final inspection. End of lease clean is the usual NSW word, so that's what we use.
It usually covers the kitchen including inside cupboards, the bathrooms and toilets, inside wardrobes, skirting boards, light switches, doors and floors. The oven, inside windows, carpet steam cleaning and wall marks are add-ons you tick in the form.
What a Sydney apartment adds to an end of lease clean
- Book the lift with the building manager if the block asks for it, for the removalists and the cleaner.
- Ask where a contractor can park, because visitor bays often have limits.
- Find out where the rubbish goes, since cleaning businesses don't take it away.
- Wipe down and sweep the balcony, or ask for it on the quote.
- Keep your fob until the last visit is done, then hand it back with the keys.
A Sydney move-out, from entry report to keys
Read your entry report
Walk each room with it, so you know what the place looked like when you got it.
Book the clean
Set it for after the removalists and before the final inspection, then send the business the date.
Be at the inspection
Your landlord or agent has to give you a reasonable opportunity to attend. The condition report is filled in again, ideally with both of you there.
Hand everything back
Return all keys and security devices, then start your bond claim through Rental Bonds Online.
Three dates to set before you call Sydney end of lease cleaners
Line up three dates before you ring anyone: the truck, the clean and the final inspection. Then give the business your entry condition report, get the list and their re-clean terms in writing, and take dated photos of every room once they've finished.