Moving out of a rental is stressful enough without worrying about whether you will get your bond back. In Queensland, bond disputes are one of the most common issues between tenants and property managers, and the number one reason bonds get withheld is cleaning that does not meet the required standard.

Here is a detailed room-by-room guide tailored for Sunshine Coast rentals.

What Queensland Law Actually Says

Under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008, you are required to return the property in the same condition it was in at the start of your tenancy, minus fair wear and tear. The property does not need to be in perfect condition, but it does need to be genuinely clean.

Your entry condition report is your best friend here. Dig it out before you start cleaning. If something was already marked as dirty or damaged when you moved in, you are not responsible for fixing it. Take photos of everything before and after — timestamps matter if there is a dispute.

Kitchen

The kitchen is where most bond claims originate. Property managers spend extra time here.

• Oven: Inside and out, including racks, trays, and door glass. Baked-on grease is not acceptable.
• Rangehood: Remove and degrease the filters. Wipe the exterior and underside.
• Stovetop: Clean burners, drip trays, and the surface.
• Fridge space: Clean the cavity and walls behind where the fridge sat. If the property came with a fridge, clean it inside and out, including seals.
• Dishwasher: Clean the filter, wipe door seals, and run an empty cycle.
• Sink and taps: Remove limescale and staining. Polish taps.
• Cupboards and drawers: Inside and out. Remove crumbs and wipe down.
• Benchtops and splashbacks: Degrease and remove any stains.

Bathrooms and Toilets

Mould is a particular issue in Sunshine Coast bathrooms due to humidity. If mould has developed during your tenancy, you need to remove it.

• Shower: Clean tiles, grout, glass screens (both sides), shower head, and taps. Remove soap scum and mould from grout.
• Toilet: Inside the bowl, under the rim, seat (top and underside), base, and behind. Clean the cistern exterior.
• Vanity and mirror: Clean the mirror streak-free, wipe the basin, clean inside drawers and cupboards.
• Exhaust fan: Remove the cover and clean it. Wipe the fan blades. Dust buildup here is a common inspection fail.

Bedrooms and Living Areas

• Walls: Spot clean marks, scuffs, and fingerprints. A magic eraser handles most marks.
• Ceiling fans: Wipe each blade. Property managers always check these.
• Light fittings: Remove covers and clean out dead insects. This is a classic Sunshine Coast problem — bugs accumulate in light fittings, especially in summer.
• Wardrobes: Vacuum inside, wipe shelves and hanging rails, clean mirrors on sliding doors.
• Windows: Clean glass inside and out where accessible, wipe frames, and clean tracks. Window tracks are a major fail point.
• Carpet: Vacuum thoroughly. Many Sunshine Coast property managers require professional carpet cleaning — check your lease.
• Hard floors: Mop and check for marks or scuffs.

Laundry

• Washing machine space: Clean walls, floor, and shelving.
• Trough: Scrub the laundry tub and taps. Remove any staining.
• Cupboards: Wipe inside and out.

Outdoor Areas

Sunshine Coast rentals often have outdoor spaces included in the inspection.

• Patio and deck: Sweep and mop. Remove cobwebs from corners and eaves.
• Garage: Sweep the floor, remove cobwebs, wipe any shelving.
• Gardens: Mow lawns, trim edges, weed garden beds. Remove any rubbish.

Common Mistakes That Cost You Money

Skipping the oven. This is the single most common fail item. If you only put extra effort into one thing, make it the oven.

Ignoring window tracks. They take ten minutes to clean properly but are on every property manager’s checklist.

Forgetting light fittings. Dead bugs in light fittings are an instant fail on the Sunshine Coast.

Not checking your entry condition report. If the property was not spotless when you moved in, you should not be held to a higher standard. But you need the documentation to prove it.

Should You DIY or Get Professional Help?

If you have the time and energy, a bond clean is absolutely something you can do yourself. Budget a full day for a two-bedroom place, or a full weekend for a larger home.

However, many renters find that professional bond cleaning pays for itself. A good bond clean service knows exactly what property managers look for, and most offer a guarantee — if the property manager flags anything, they will come back and fix it at no extra cost.

Whatever approach you choose, start early. Trying to deep clean an entire house on the last day of your lease is a recipe for missed spots and stress. Give yourself time, work through the checklist methodically, and document everything with photos. Your bond depends on it.