Question 1

How much does bond cleaning cost in Queensland?

Accepted Answer

A 2-bedroom apartment typically costs $280–$380. A 3–4 bedroom house runs $350–$550. A large 4–5 bedroom home in heavy condition can reach $600–$700+. Add $100–$200 for professional carpet steam cleaning if included in your entry condition report. Get quotes based on the specific number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and the presence of an oven, range hood, and any outdoor entertaining areas.

Question 2

What does a bond clean need to include in QLD to get my bond back?

Accepted Answer

The benchmark is your REIQ Entry Condition Report. The property must exit in the condition documented at entry (allowing for fair wear and tear). Property managers specifically check: oven interior, range hood filter, bathroom grout and tiles, window tracks, fly screens, blinds, inside cupboards, light fittings, skirting boards, carpet condition, and wall marks. A professional bond cleaner works through all of these systematically, a standard clean doesn't.

Question 3

Do I legally need a professional bond clean in QLD?

Accepted Answer

No, you can clean yourself. But the standard expected by property managers is specific and detailed, and most tenants significantly underestimate what's required. Oven cleaning alone is the single most common failure point in exit inspections. If you choose to self-clean, work through your entry condition report line by line with fresh eyes. If anything is identified as deficient, you'll likely be asked to rectify within a very short timeframe, often 24 hours.

Question 4

What is the re-clean guarantee and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Most reputable bond cleaners offer a guarantee to return and fix any areas identified as deficient by the property manager's exit inspection, at no additional charge, within a specified timeframe (typically 72 hours of the exit inspection). This guarantee is what distinguishes a genuine bond cleaning specialist from a general cleaner. Always confirm the guarantee terms in writing before booking, including how long after the inspection it applies.

Question 5

Do I need carpet steam cleaning for my bond in QLD?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what your Entry Condition Report states. If carpets are noted as professionally cleaned at entry, you're expected to have them professionally cleaned at exit. Check your specific report. If carpets were not professionally cleaned at entry, you're only required to leave them in equivalent condition (vacuumed and clean). Many tenancy disputes at QCAT relate specifically to carpet cleaning, know what your report says.

Question 6

How far in advance should I book a bond clean?

Accepted Answer

Book at least 5–7 days before your lease end date. During peak periods (December–January and the end of the university semester), good bond cleaners in QLD book out 1–2 weeks in advance. You'll need the clean completed before the exit condition report inspection, which typically happens on your move-out day or the day after. Don't leave it to the last week if you can avoid it.

Question 7

Can the landlord make me use a specific bond cleaning company?

Accepted Answer

In Queensland, landlords and property managers cannot require tenants to use a specific cleaning company. Amendments to the RTRA Act (Section 188) specifically prohibit this. You can use any professional cleaner (or clean yourself) as long as the result meets the required standard. If a property manager insists on a specific company, this is not legally enforceable.

Question 8

What is fair wear and tear vs damage in a QLD tenancy?

Accepted Answer

Fair wear and tear is the natural deterioration of a property through normal use over time, minor scuffs on walls, worn floor surfaces, faded paintwork. Damage is deterioration beyond normal use, large holes in walls, stained carpets, broken fixtures. Tenants cannot be held responsible for fair wear and tear. Bond cleaning covers cleaning; it cannot fix damage. If you have damage beyond wear and tear, address it before the exit inspection.

Question 9

What if the property manager still claims the bond after a professional clean?

Accepted Answer

Request a detailed written list of all deficiencies. If the cleaner's guarantee applies, arrange the re-clean first. If after re-cleaning you still face a bond dispute, you can apply to the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) for conciliation, and then to QCAT if not resolved. Keep all your bond cleaning receipts and photographs of the clean property, these are your evidence at QCAT. Most legitimate bond disputes are resolved at RTA conciliation.

Question 10

Does a bond clean include cleaning the outside of the house?

Accepted Answer

Standard bond cleaning covers the interior of the property. Exterior cleaning (driveway, pathways, exterior walls) is typically not included and would need to be quoted separately. Check your entry condition report, if the exterior was noted as clean or recently washed at entry, you may need to address exterior areas. Garden maintenance (lawns, weeds, garden beds) is also typically a separate obligation under the tenancy agreement.

End of Lease / Bond Cleaning in Queensland

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