Bond Cleaning Melbourne
In Victoria, your rental bond is lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) and governed by the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. When you vacate a rental property, your landlord or property manager can make a claim against that bond for cleaning costs if the property is not returned in the same condition as documented in your condition report. At Deep Clean King, our bond cleaning service is specifically designed to prevent that from happening — and to give you a documented, professional clean you can point to if a dispute arises.
What Is a Bond Clean in Victoria?
A bond clean (also called an end of lease clean or vacate clean) is a thorough clean of a rental property completed before a final inspection. Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, tenants are required to leave the property in a reasonably clean condition, having regard to the condition of the premises at the start of the tenancy. If cleaning costs are disputed, the matter goes to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) — and having a receipt from a professional cleaning company significantly strengthens your position.
We provide a detailed tax invoice for every bond clean we complete. This documentation has been used successfully by Melbourne tenants in VCAT disputes.
Bond Cleaning Prices Melbourne 2026
| Property Size | Bond Clean Only | With Carpet Steam Clean |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | From $265 | From $299 |
| 1 Bedroom | From $285 | From $325 |
| 2 Bedrooms | From $325 | From $375 |
| 3 Bedrooms | From $375 | From $435 |
| 4 Bedrooms | From $435 | From $499 |
| 5 Bedrooms | From $499 | From $579 |
Our 100% Bond-Back Guarantee
Every Deep Clean King bond clean is backed by a 100% bond-back guarantee. If your property manager raises any cleaning issue within 72 hours of our completed clean, we return and fix it at no additional cost. We issue a detailed invoice that lists every area cleaned — documentation that demonstrates to your real estate agent (and to VCAT, if it comes to that) that the property was professionally cleaned to a standard required under the RTA.
The Victorian Bond Process — What Every Tenant Should Know
How Bonds Work in Victoria
Your bond is lodged with the RTBA (Residential Tenancies Bond Authority) within 10 business days of payment. At the end of your tenancy, both you and your landlord must sign a Bond Claim form. If your landlord claims against your bond for cleaning and you dispute it, either party can apply to VCAT for a hearing. VCAT will consider your condition report, photos, and any professional cleaning receipts as evidence.
Common Bond Deduction Reasons in Victoria
- Uncleaned oven — consistently the #1 reason for cleaning disputes at VCAT
- Bathroom mould and soap scum — especially grout and shower screens
- Uncleaned carpets — particularly when the condition report notes professional cleaning at entry
- Kitchen grease buildup — rangehood filters and splashback
- Marks and scuffs on walls — distinguishing fair wear and tear from damage
- Uncleaned windows and tracks — commonly missed by tenants doing self-cleaning
Fair Wear and Tear vs Cleaning
Under Victorian tenancy law, tenants are not responsible for fair wear and tear — gradual deterioration from normal use. This includes faded paint, minor carpet wear in traffic areas, and small nail holes. However, cleaning is always the tenant’s responsibility regardless of wear and tear. A stained oven is always a cleaning issue, not wear and tear.
What Our Bond Clean Covers
Kitchen
- Oven fully cleaned inside and out — racks, trays, cavity and door glass (most common VCAT dispute item)
- Rangehood degreased — filters, fan, exterior
- Stovetop and splashback degreased
- All cupboards inside and out
- Benchtops, sink and tapware polished
- Dishwasher, microwave, other appliances
Bathrooms
- Shower screen descaled and polished
- Grout scrubbed throughout
- Toilet fully disinfected
- Vanity, basin, tapware polished
- Floor scrubbed and disinfected
All Rooms, Floors, Laundry, Balcony
- Skirting boards, light fittings, window tracks
- Wardrobes fully cleaned inside
- Hard floors vacuumed and mopped
- Carpets vacuumed (steam clean available)
- Laundry, balcony and garage covered
What to Do If Your Landlord Disputes Your Bond
If you receive a Bond Claim disputing the cleanliness of your property after our bond clean:
- Contact us immediately — we will return within 72 hours to rectify any legitimate cleaning issue under our guarantee
- Keep your Deep Clean King invoice — this is your evidence of professional cleaning
- Compare the disputed areas against your entry condition report and photos
- If the dispute cannot be resolved directly, apply to VCAT at vcat.vic.gov.au — a bond hearing typically costs $73.90 and is heard within weeks
Our invoice and bond-back guarantee give you a significantly stronger position at VCAT than tenants who cleaned themselves with no documentation.
Melbourne Suburbs We Cover
We provide bond cleaning across all Melbourne suburbs within 50km of the CBD. Call 04 1010 3243 for your suburb.
Frequently Asked Questions — Bond Cleaning Melbourne
Is a landlord allowed to demand professional bond cleaning in Victoria?
Under a 2021 amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, landlords in Victoria cannot require tenants to use a specific cleaning company or to get professional cleaning done as a condition of their lease (unless the property was professionally cleaned at the start of the tenancy, as noted in the condition report). However, the property must still be returned reasonably clean — and professional cleaning is the most defensible way to prove you met that obligation.
Do I need carpet steam cleaning for my bond in Victoria?
Only if the carpets were professionally steam cleaned at the start of your tenancy and this is documented in your condition report. If the condition report notes professional carpet cleaning at entry, you are expected to return them in the same condition. If not noted, you are required to return carpets reasonably clean — which may not require professional steam cleaning if they are in good condition.
What evidence does VCAT consider in bond cleaning disputes?
VCAT considers: entry and exit condition reports, photos taken at entry and exit, professional cleaning invoices, correspondence between tenant and landlord/agent, and any re-inspection reports. A dated invoice from a professional cleaning company is strong supporting evidence for tenants.
How much does a VCAT bond hearing cost in Victoria?
A standard bond claim hearing at VCAT costs $73.90 (2026 rate) for claims under $10,000. Hearings are typically held within a few weeks of application and can be attended in person or via phone/video. Most bond cleaning disputes are resolved without a hearing once professional cleaning documentation is provided.
What is the bond-back guarantee and what does it cover?
Our bond-back guarantee means if your property manager raises any cleaning issue within 72 hours of our completed bond clean, we return and fix it at no additional cost. It covers all areas cleaned as part of your booking. It does not cover damage, pre-existing conditions documented in the entry report, or issues unrelated to cleaning.
Book Your Bond Clean in Melbourne
Fixed upfront quote within the hour. Call 04 1010 3243 or use our online form. All Melbourne suburbs within 50km of the CBD. 100% bond-back guarantee on every clean.