What Real Estate Agents Won’t Tell You: 10 Things Tenants Get Charged for After Bond Cleaning

After scrubbing every surface, vacuuming the carpets, and even addressing the mess behind the refrigerator, there’s still a chance that your agent will withhold a part of your bond. But why?

The reality is, many tenants are hit with surprise bond deductions even after they’ve cleaned the property til it looked spotless. Unfortunately, agents and landlords are quick to find ‘missed spots’, or nitpick on things that seem unjustified. This is enough to either make the renter feel ripped off, or lands them in a bond dispute.

So, in this article, we’re revealing 10 things tenants commonly get charged for after they’ve done their best to clean up the place, and a thorough bond cleaning checklist to help you breeze through a final inspection. We’ve also included real-life stories from renters and agents to give you a better sense of just how much scrutiny, and sometimes unfairness, is involved in the process. 

10 Cleaning-Related Bond Deductions

At Maidforyou, we’ve completed several thousand end of lease cleans for both renters and property managers across Sydney. Thanks to our experience working closely with agents and landlords, we know exactly what it takes to meet inspection standards, and help renters get their bond back. This has also given us firsthand insight into what agents most commonly flag during inspections, and here are the top ten!

1. Cobwebs

Cobwebs might not seem like a big deal, however, agents often flag them as ‘missed spots’ or signs of poor cleaning. One renter was charged $110 for a single cobweb found above a window, even after it was cleaned by a professional. This is why it’s important to check ceilings, corners, and window frames for cobwebs before your inspection; a tiny spider’s home could lead to unnecessary bond deductions!

2. Top of Kitchen & Bathroom Cabinets

These high-up surfaces collect grease and dust quickly, yet they are often forgotten. After an end of lease inspection, a tenant was shocked to be charged for sticky residue and dust on top of the kitchen cabinets which was missed by the professional cleaners hired for the job. It’s a good reminder for tenants to inspect the tops of kitchen and bathroom cabinets after the bond cleaning service is complete.

3. Window Surrounds & Blinds

Dirty window tracks, dusty blinds, and uncleaned sills are among the most common reasons for post-cleaning complaints. Agents regularly check these areas closely which is why you should too, before a final inspection. Even spotless glass won’t pass the inspection if there is dirt hiding in the tracks.

4. Light Switches & Splashbacks

Fingerprints on switches and grease on splashbacks are small details that can cost you. These high-touch areas are easy to miss but very visible during inspections. A quick wipe-down with a microfibre cloth can make a big difference and help you avoid unnecessary charges after what you thought was a thorough clean.

5. Light Fittings & Ceiling Cornices

Ceiling mouldings and light fittings accumulate dust and insects, and if you think your agent won’t check them during the inspection, think again! If dust and other buildup is found on or around these areas, it will cost you. 

6. Doors & Surrounds

You may not always spot it, but door surrounds gather more dirt than you realise. Dust collects on top of doors, the handles/knobs get smudges and fingerprints, and door frames are prone to dust and cobwebs. Agents never overlook these areas so be sure to give them a proper once-over before the final inspection.

7. Removal of Adhesives Throughout Property

Stickers, Blu-tac, tape, and wall hooks can damage paint or leave residue. One renter was charged for minor wall damage left behind by Blu-tac even after attempting to remove it cleanly. The best advice from our professional cleaners is to remove adhesives on walls or furniture as gently as possible, and use proper tools or products to avoid marks that can lead to repair fees.

8. Spot Cleaning Walls

Scuffs, handprints, and light stains or marks can all stand out on walls. While full wall washing may not be required, inspectors and landlords expect you to spot clean areas with visible marks. Focus on high-contact areas like around switches, doors, and hallway corners. A damp cloth or magic eraser can easily remove minor marks which, in turn, can protect your bond.

9. Garage Floors

A lot of tenants don’t consider garage floors in their end of lease cleaning because it is one of those areas that are given less importance and not maintained on a regular basis. However, it’s important to note that the garage floor will still be a part of the inspection. The presence of dust, oil spots, leaves, or cobwebs can lead to hefty bond deductions. So, don’t forget to sweep the area thoroughly, remove stains if possible, and make sure the corners and skirting are clean, too. 

10. Skirting Boards

Skirting boards are one of those sneaky inspection spots that often get overlooked, but agents pay extra attention to them. Dust, scuffs, and crumbs along the base of the walls are frequently flagged. In one case, a Queensland family was only missing a tiny bit of dust along a part of skirting, yet the agent demanded that it be cleaned. A quick run of a cloth along skirting boards could save you from unexpected charges and frustration during your final inspection.

A Pre-Inspection Bond Cleaning Checklist for Tenants

House cleaning can be challenging, but end of lease cleaning is overwhelming for most tenants. If you aren’t hiring professional move-out cleaners, then the one thing that can really help is having a room-by-room checklist. It provides guidance to get through the process methodically while ensuring you aren’t forgetting anything. 

At Maidforyou, we know exactly what inspectors pay attention to, and it certainly goes beyond surface cleaning. With that, we’ve created a comprehensive cleaning checklist for tenants to refer to when preparing for their final inspection.

Room-by-Room Checklist

All Areas

• Remove cobwebs from ceilings, corners, skirting boards, tops of doors, window surrounds, light fittings, and fans.
• Dust and wipe skirting boards, cornices, ceiling fans, switches, light fixtures, and air vents.
• Spot-clean walls (look for marks, handprints, or smudges near switches and doors).

Kitchen & Bathroom

• Clean inside and outside of cupboards and drawers, including the tops.
• Deep clean oven, rangehood, splashbacks, stovetop, microwave, fridge, and dishwasher.
• Scrub sinks, taps, benches, and tiles (don’t forget grout lines).
• Wipe down light switches, splashbacks, and all glass surfaces.

Windows & Doors

• Clean inside windows, tracks, frames, sills, and surrounds.
• Dust and wipe blinds or curtains; vacuum tracks and fabric where applicable.
• Wipe tops of doors, panels, handles/knobs, and frames.

Bedrooms & Living Areas

• Vacuum carpets; sweep and mop hard floors. Consider steam cleaning stained or dull carpets.
• Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, skirting boards, and fittings.
• Wipe inside wardrobes, drawers, and shelves. Spot clean stains or marks if any.

Laundry

• Sweep and mop floors; clean around and behind washer and dryer.
• Wash sink, and wipe down counters, cabinets, light switches, and fittings.
• Clean the dryer lint trap and dust corners.

Outdoor Areas & Garage

• Sweep the patio, driveway, and garage floor; remove cobwebs and leaves.
• Scrub oil stains and grease spots on concrete.
• Mow the lawn, weed gardens, and tidy exterior spaces.

Even after a thorough bond clean, small oversights can lead to unexpected charges. From dusty blinds to cobwebs in the corners, agents always spot the things a tenant has missed. By understanding what gets flagged and following our pre-inspection cleaning checklist, you can avoid common things tenants get charged for after bond cleaning.