What is Bond Cleaning?
Bond cleaning (also called end-of-lease cleaning, exit cleaning or vacate cleaning) is the deep-clean that tenants arrange (or sometimes the landlord/agent arranges) when a lease is ending, to prepare the property for final inspection and maximise the chance of the bond (deposit) being returned in full.
On the Gold Coast:
It is especially important because many agents and landlords use thorough inspection checklists and expect the property to be returned in clean, well-maintained condition.
The phrase “bond cleaning” specifically refers to meeting those rental/lease-end obligations and the property manager’s expectations, not just a regular house clean.
According to one guide: “Bond cleaning … is a deep clean of your rental property before handing it back to the landlord or property manager.
- On the Gold Coast, additional factors may include salt/sand buildup (because of coastal location), mould / mildew in bathrooms, air-vents, etc.
In short: you leave the property as close as possible to the condition you received it (aside from fair wear and tear) so that the agent doesn’t deduct from the bond.
Bond Cleaning Checklist
A detailed cleaning checklist helps you (or your cleaning team) tick off each area and reduce the risk of missing something that might jeopardise getting the bond back. A number of local cleaning companies publish full checklists.
Here’s a condensed version customised for Gold Coast rentals:
General / All-Areas
Vacuum / sweep and mop all floors; ensure baseboards, corners, door-frames cleaned.
Wipe all surfaces: shelves, window sills, skirting boards, switch plates, door handles.
Clean sliding door and window tracks (especially if sand/grit from beach area).
Clean all interior windows and glass doors; remove fingerprints, smudges, water-marks.
Check for cobwebs, dust on ceiling fans / air conditioning vents / light fittings.
Clean walls and marks (where reasonable) + door frames.
Empty all rubbish/heaps and leave bins clean.
Clean wardrobes/closets: inside, shelving, drawers.
Clean laundry area: tub, washing machine interior (if required), dryer filter, walls.
Kitchen
Clean inside & outside of cupboards and drawers.
Clean bench-tops, splashbacks, sink, taps, drainholes.
Clean oven (inside & out) + rangehood/exhaust fan + filter.
Clean stovetop, burners, immediate area.
Clean fridge (if included) – inside, door seals.
Clean dishwasher (if present) – inside, door seals.
Clean microwave (inside/outside) if applicable.
Polish stainless steel surfaces if present.
Clean floor thoroughly (including behind fridge if empty).
Bathrooms & Toilets
Clean shower, bath, tiles, grout, glass doors.
Remove mould, mildew where possible, clean caulking.
Clean taps, basins, vanities, mirrors.
Clean toilet inside/out, seat, cistern, surrounding area.
Clean walls/splashbacks, tile grouting.
Clean exhaust fan/grille where present.
Clean floor and skirting thoroughly.
Bedrooms / Living Areas
Vacuum carpets (or floorboards) and any rugs; lift where possible.
Clean inside/out of built-in wardrobes including shelves, rails.
Clean all windows, tracks, sliding door tracks.
Clean curtains/blinds (or dust blinds) if required.
Clean walls/windowsills.
Clean light-fittings, ceiling fans.
Outside Areas / Garage / Patio (if applicable)
Sweep/mop patios, balconies; remove any rubbish.
Clean outdoor blinds/screens and frames.
Clean garage/parking area: sweep, remove cobwebs, check walls.
Clean any outdoor fixtures (like BBQ area) if part of the tenancy.
Final Inspection / Extras
Ensure property is tidy, empty of your belongings.
Check smoke alarms (if your responsibility) and ensure all works.
Ensure all keys/remote controls provided as required.
Take photos of cleaned condition (for your records).
Double-check any specific clauses in your tenancy agreement or property condition report.
This checklist helps ensure you meet the standards required by many property managers.
Price Range for Bond Cleaning on the Gold Coast
Pricing depends on several factors: size of property, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, whether carpet steam-cleaning is included, how dirty the property is, any extras (balcony, garage, external windows), weekend/surcharge, etc.
Things that increase cost:
Carpets requiring professional steam cleaning or heavy stain removal.
External window cleaning, balcony, patio, pool-area, garage, external walls.
If the property is in poor condition (lots of grime, old stains, mould).
Weekend bookings or short notice bookings may attract premium.
Additional specialised cleaning (oven deep clean, BBQ area, mould/grout, pest cleanup).