Preventing Security Deposit Deductions: A Cleaning Checklist
Moving out of a rental property can be stressful for many tenants in Darwin. There is a high risk of losing hard-earned security deposits, equivalent to four week’s rent.
Some surveys state that most bond money deductions occur due to cleaning issues. The common reasons are leaving windows, carpets, kitchen appliances, and ceiling walls dirty. If you want to pass your rental inspection, adhere to your specified tenant’s responsibilities and return the premises to a pristine state or reasonably clean at the end of your lease.
Here is a complete end of lease cleaning checklist to help prevent security deposit deductions. Ensure you refer to the property condition report to know the inclusions and exclusions. You can also hire experts for a budget end of lease cleaning Darwin and pass your rental inspection.
Let’s Get Started!
1. Cleaning Checklist For Your Kitchen
Kitchens are often considered as a haven for lethal germs and bacteria. Most landlords strictly inspect every nook and cranny, including wooden cabinets, inside kitchen appliances, sinks, stovetops, etc. If you want to avoid disputes or bond deductions, follow this cleaning checklist for your filthy kitchen:
- Cabinets and Drawers: Empty and wipe down the shelves inside and outside using a damp microfiber cloth.
- Walls and Tiles: Wipe down tiles and walls to remove dust and oil splatters
- Oven and Stovetop: Remove caked-on grime and gunk from the stove top, rings and knobs. Also, clean inside and outside oven, trays, racks and glass door.
- Microwave: Steam clean the microwave using vinegar and lemon.
- Fridge and Freezer: Start by emptying your fridge and cleaning inside and outside. Use vinegar spray to remove food residue and stains.
- Sink and Countertops: Wipe down the stainless steel sink and marble countertop with baking soda. Polish faucets and drainers. Also, deodorise garbage disposal
- Scrub and clean range hood exhaust and filter
- Clean and polish the splashback area with a damp microfiber cloth.
2. Bathroom and Laundry Room Cleaning Checklist

Bathrooms are also one of the dirtiest areas in any home. Soap scum, calcium deposits, rust stains and mould on bathroom fixtures and fittings can lead to rental disputes. You may even lose your bond money if you fail to return the bathroom in pristine condition. So here is a complete checklist to help you clean your bathroom and laundry room like a pro:
- Remove dust and pollen from exhaust fans using a vacuum cleaner
- Clean inside and outside drawers and cabinets
- Remove soap scum and stains from the showerhead, shower doors and walls
- Clean bathtub with baking soda
- Remove brown stains from a toilet seat, ‘S’ bend and around the cistern.
- Clean and polish sink, faucets and towel rails
- Gently scrub grout lines
- Clean and inside the washing machine and dryer
- Polish mirrors
- Mop Floors
You can prefer hiring experts for a quality bond cleaning Darwin and protect your deposited security. They will clean hard-to-reach areas and stubborn stains with precision, helping you pass the final inspection.
3. Living Room and Bedroom(s) Cleaning
Landlords in Darwin thoroughly inspect every nook and cranny of the property, including ceiling walls, window tracks and other hidden spots. They can deduct your deposited security due to half-baked cleaning. So, be precise and refer to the property condition report when cleaning your living room and bedrooms at the end of your tenancy:
- Remove cobwebs, dust and pollen from ceilings using a telescopic duster
- Clean fans and AC vents
- Wipe down light fixtures and fittings. Remove dust from lampshades using proper tools.
- Spot clean walls and light switches
- Wipe down skirting boards and architraves
- Clean the top of the cabinets and wardrobes
- Wash inside and outside of your windows
- Vacuum window blinds and door tracks
- Vacuum mattress beds and wash bed linens
- Wipe off side lamps and tables
- Vacuum carpets and floors
- Mop hard floors
4. Other Important Areas
Make sure you deep clean the following areas and maintain a spotless abode at the end of your tenancy:
- Clean Patio area- Pressure wash the surface and decks to remove stains and grime
- Pressure clean driveways and hallways
- Clean garage walls and floors
- Remove dead leaves from your yard
- Remove dirt and cobwebs from exterior walls
Hire a pest control service in Darwin to remove pests, insects and mould before the final rental inspection.
5. Click Pictures Of the Entire Property
Make sure you take pictures before and after the cleaning process. It can be used as evidence that you did everything to return the property reasonably cleanly. These photos can help you protect your hard-earned bond money in case of any dispute.
If you want to ensure a smooth process, hire experts for a budget bond cleaning Darwin and impress your fussy landlord. If you are running low on budget, do a thorough cost-benefit analysis before hiring professional cleaners.
A Cleaning Checklist to Avoid Bond Money Deductions

Wrapping up
This is a complete cleaning checklist to help you maintain the spotless condition of your rental property and prevent security deposit deductions. Make sure you follow the checklist and cover every nook and cranny with the best outcomes.