The short answer
No. NSW law does not make you hire a professional cleaner when you move out. You need to leave the home reasonably clean, close to how it was when you moved in (your entry condition report is the guide), except for fair wear and tear. A DIY clean is fine if it gets the home there.
What does reasonably clean mean in NSW?
NSW tenancy law says that when you hand back the keys, the home should be left in a reasonable state of cleanliness, having regard to how it was at the start of the tenancy. It also asks you to leave it as close as possible to the entry condition report, except for fair wear and tear.
In plain English, reasonably clean is not the same as perfect. The agent compares the home with your entry condition report, not with a show home. Normal wear like faded paint, small scuffs on floors or worn carpet in walkways is fair wear and tear.
The NSW Government's moving out page covers these steps too. Note: This is general information only, not legal advice.
When a DIY move-out clean can be enough
Plenty of renters clean the home themselves and get it to a reasonably clean standard. DIY tends to suit you when:
- The home is small, like a unit or a townhouse.
- You kept on top of cleaning during the lease.
- Your entry condition report was fairly relaxed about cleanliness.
- You have help, and a few clear days before the keys are due back.
- The oven, rangehood and bathrooms are in decent shape already.
If you go DIY, use our room-by-room move-out checklist so the easy-to-miss spots do not get skipped.
When booking a professional bond clean makes sense
A professional clean is a choice, not a rule. It often makes sense when:
- You are short on time because you are packing, moving and working at once.
- The oven, rangehood or shower glass need more than a wipe.
- It is a large family home or a property on acreage.
- Your entry condition report describes the home as very clean throughout.
- You want a tax invoice with an ABN to keep with your move-out records.
Our bond clean service covers the whole home, and you can ask for a carpet clean in the same booking. To see what changes a cleaning quote, read our quote guide.
- Timing You set the timing and do the work.
- Suits Works well for smaller, well-kept homes.
- Watch for Easy to miss tracks, vents and inside cupboards.
- Records No invoice, so your photos are your record.
- Timing You book a time and hand over the cleaning.
- Suits Suits larger homes, tired ovens and busy weeks.
- Records A tax invoice with ABN for your records.
- Bond Still no say over the bond. The agent compares the home with the condition report.
Rather hand the clean to us?
Tell us your suburb, the size of the home and your final inspection date. We will be in touch about your quote. A clean is not a bond refund. The agent and NSW Fair Trading handle the bond side.
Request a QuoteLease clauses, carpets and the agent's preferred cleaner
Read your lease before you book anything. Carpets are the usual exception. A landlord generally cannot require a professional carpet clean unless your lease makes it a condition, which is most common when you had permission to keep a pet.
Some agents suggest a preferred cleaner. In NSW you can generally choose your own cleaner or clean the home yourself. Our bond clean page answers the carpet and preferred cleaner questions in more detail. Note: This is general information only, not legal advice.
After the clean: photos, invoice and your bond
Whichever way you go, finish with date-stamped photos of every room. If you booked a clean, keep the tax invoice with your condition report.
Then follow our guide on how to claim your bond in NSW through Rental Bonds Online. If the agent raises a cleaning item after a Hills Cleaning clean, contact us.
Moving out of a Hills rental?
If you would rather hand the clean over, tell us your suburb and inspection date and we will quote it. We also have local pages for renters in Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Kellyville and Rouse Hill.