February is one of Melbourne’s busiest months for moving. Keys are changing hands, final inspections are booked, and small cleaning misses can delay bond returns. A clear picture of what an end of lease clean covers, how long it takes, and what it realistically costs can remove a lot of stress.
This guide sets expectations so you can plan with confidence. It outlines standard inclusions, popular add-ons like carpet steam cleaning and detailed oven work, how property managers view fair wear and tear, and practical prep tips that save time and money.
At Yes Total Cleaning, we complete vacate cleans across the CBD and suburbs every week. Tenants tell us our teams are punctual and meticulous, and property managers appreciate our thorough checklists and fast re-clean support when requested.
What’s usually included in a professional vacate clean
A standard end of lease clean targets presentation and hygiene across every room. While scopes vary by property and agent, a typical checklist includes:
- Kitchen: degrease splashbacks, rangehood and filters, clean oven and cooktop, inside and outside cupboards and drawers, bench tops, sink and taps.
- Bathrooms and laundry: scrub and disinfect shower, screen, tiles, grout and toilet, descale taps, clean vanity, mirrors, exhausts, laundry trough.
- Living spaces and bedrooms: dusting of all reachable surfaces, light fittings, skirting boards, door frames and handles, wardrobe interiors, window sills and tracks, air vents.
- Walls, doors and switches: spot cleaning for marks within reason.
- Floors: vacuum and mop hard floors; vacuum carpets.
- Windows: interior glass clean and tracks, with exterior glass available as an add-on depending on access.
Popular add-ons that often appear on agent reports include carpet steam cleaning, exterior window cleaning, balcony or courtyard pressure washing, blinds cleaning and appliance detailing behind and beneath units. We frequently bundle oven and rangehood detailing in vacate packages because these areas draw close attention at inspection.
Does a bond clean include carpets and do you need to steam clean them?
In Australia, a bond clean typically includes thorough vacuuming of carpets. Steam carpet cleaning, also called hot water extraction, is an add-on unless your tenancy agreement specifies professional steam cleaning or you are addressing pet odours, heavy traffic marks or stains. Many agents in Victoria request steam cleaning when carpets are visibly soiled or pets have lived at the property.
If your lease or agent requests it, booking a dedicated carpet cleaning service in Melbourne ensures the correct machinery, stain treatments and a clear invoice for your records.
How long an end of lease clean takes
Timeframes depend on property size, condition, access, and add-ons requested. As a general guide for a two-person team:
- Studio or 1-bed apartment: 4 to 6 hours for a standard vacate clean. Add 1 to 2 hours for carpet steam cleaning or balcony glass.
- 2-bed, 1-bath apartment: 6 to 8 hours. Add up to 2 hours for carpets and windows.
- 3-bed townhouse or small home: 8 to 12 hours. Add 2 to 3 hours for carpets, oven deep clean and exterior windows where accessible.
- 4-bed home: 10 to 16 hours, sometimes split across two visits if windows or outdoor areas need extra time.
Homes in good condition and already decluttered are usually faster. Properties with heavy build-up, mould treatment needs, renovation dust or difficult access can take longer.
Realistic costs in Melbourne and what affects price
Vacate cleaning is bespoke. Final pricing depends on size, bathrooms, add-ons, parking, and the level of detail required by your agent. In Melbourne, standard house cleaning often starts from around $55 per hour, and end of lease cleans are typically quoted as a fixed price after a walkthrough or detailed brief. Indicative ranges we see across recent jobs:
- 1-bed apartment standard vacate clean: commonly a few hundred dollars, with carpet steam cleaning an additional fee if required.
- 2-bed apartment: mid hundreds, depending on balcony glass, oven condition and carpet steam cleaning.
- 3 to 4-bed homes: higher hundreds to low thousands when including carpets, detailed oven and rangehood work, and exterior windows.
To keep quotes accurate and fair, we recommend a brief call and, if needed, photos or an on-site walkthrough. We provide transparent quotes and outline exactly what is included so there are no surprises.
How agents assess fair wear and tear
Under Victorian tenancy law, you are not responsible for reasonable wear that occurs over time, such as light traffic marks on carpets, minor scuffs, or faded paint. You are responsible for returning the property in a reasonably clean state. Professional vacate cleaning focuses on hygiene, visible marks that can be cleaned, and areas commonly flagged in reports, like ovens, rangehood filters, shower screens, grout lines and window tracks.
If an agent raises items after inspection, we support a prompt re-clean of any agreed areas within scope. This reassurance helps move your bond process along smoothly.
Practical prep tips that save time and money
A little preparation can shorten cleaning time and reduce cost:
- Ensure power and hot water are on for vacuuming, steam cleaning and testing appliances.
- Secure parking or building access for the team and equipment.
- Remove personal items, rubbish and food before cleaners arrive.
- Defrost and empty the fridge and freezer if they are part of the clean.
- Flag special surfaces or concerns in advance, like delicate stone benchtops or mould hotspots.
If your property has many windows or a large balcony, consider booking professional window cleaning in Melbourne to keep glass and tracks streak-free at inspection.
Why tenants book with Yes Cleaning
Our trained teams handle vacate cleans across Melbourne, from Southbank and the CBD to Box Hill, Toorak and Brighton. Customers describe us as punctual and meticulous, and our checklists reflect what managers look for at handover. When agents request clarifications, we communicate quickly and can return to address items within the agreed scope.
Recent feedback from vacate and carpet clients includes comments like “punctual and meticulous”, “very quick and thorough” and “professional and thorough”. We take pride in delivering a spotless result and clear communication from quote to final inspection.
If carpets need deeper attention, our steam carpet cleaning in Melbourne uses professional hot water extraction to lift embedded dirt and help reduce odours. For complete move-out support, our move out cleaning in Melbourne page outlines typical inclusions and optional add-ons you can tailor to your lease and agent expectations.
Mini case examples and quotes
- Southbank 1-bed with balcony: standard vacate clean plus oven and interior windows completed in one day. Agent passed first inspection. Client comment, “Arrived on time, quick and detailed.”
- Box Hill North 3-bed townhouse: full vacate scope with carpet steam cleaning and rangehood filter degrease. Agent requested a minor re-wipe of one cupboard, completed next day. Client said, “Punctual and meticulous.”
- Toorak 4-bed home: two-day schedule with detailed oven and exterior window package. The property presented well for inspection and marketing photos.
Final quotes always reflect property specifics, so use these as directional only.
Quick FAQ
- How much does an end of lease clean cost in Melbourne? Prices vary by size and scope. One-bed apartments typically sit in the lower hundreds, while larger homes can reach the higher hundreds or low thousands with add-ons like carpets and exterior windows. We provide tailored quotes after a brief assessment.
- How long does a bond clean take? From about 4 to 6 hours for a studio or 1-bed apartment, up to 10 to 16 hours for a 4-bed home, depending on condition and add-ons.
- Does a bond clean include carpets in Australia? Bond cleans usually include vacuuming as standard. Steam carpet cleaning is an additional service unless required by your lease or agent.
- Do you have to steam clean carpets when you move out in Victoria? Only if your lease, pet clause or agent requires it, or if carpets are visibly soiled. Many tenants choose steam cleaning to present carpets at their best and to document the clean.
- What are the cleaning rules at the end of a lease in Victoria? You must return the property in a reasonably clean state, accounting for fair wear and tear. Focus on hygiene and visible build-up. Check your lease for any specific requirements, such as professional carpet steam cleaning.
Book early for February and March move-outs
If you are moving this month, book early to secure preferred dates. Our teams are friendly, reliable and easy to communicate with, and we back our work with responsive re-clean support when requested by agents. Share your move-out date, property size and any add-ons you need, and we will provide a clear, tailored quote.
To plan your clean and add carpet steam cleaning if needed, explore our carpet cleaning service for Melbourne, or see our dedicated page for move-out and vacate cleaning services. We look forward to helping you hand back the keys with confidence.
