The 2021 amendments to Victoria's Residential Tenancies Act changed the rules around rental cleaning obligations significantly. Yet many Melbourne tenants — and some landlords — still operate under the old rules. Here's what you're actually required to do, and what you're not.
The Core Obligation: 'Same Condition' — But Not Pristine
Under Victorian law, tenants must return the property in the same condition as when they moved in, allowing for fair wear and tear. This is the critical phrase: fair wear and tear is not your responsibility to fix or clean.
Fair wear and tear includes:
- Minor scuffs and marks on walls from normal living
- Small carpet indentations from furniture
- Gradual fading of paint or carpets from sunlight
- Minor scratches on timber floors from everyday use
- Loose door handles or tap fittings from normal use
None of these can be charged to your bond.
What IS Your Responsibility to Clean
Anything dirtier than when you moved in that is not fair wear and tear needs to be addressed before vacating:
- Oven grease and grime (if you used the oven, it should leave clean)
- Bathroom mould if caused by inadequate ventilation (not structural)
- Carpet stains beyond normal walking paths
- Pet hair embedded in carpets or furniture
- Marks on walls from sticky tape, blu-tack, or dirty hands
- Kitchen benches, splashback, and appliances at a similar standard to when you moved in
- All surfaces dusted and wiped
- Windows cleaned to a reasonable standard
The Condition Report Is Your Protection
The condition report completed at the start of your tenancy is the baseline. If the oven was described as "dirty" when you moved in, you are not required to return it professionally cleaned. If it was described as clean, you must return it clean.
Practical tip: Always take your own dated photos at move-in, ideally the same day as the condition report. These photos are valid evidence in VCAT disputes.
Professional Cleaning: Is It Required?
Since the 2021 reforms, landlords in Victoria cannot require tenants to use a professional cleaning service — full stop. If your lease has a clause saying "professional cleaning required at vacate," that clause is unenforceable.
You can clean the property yourself. However, if a professional standard wasn't reached, you may still be held responsible for the shortfall.
The practical reality: end-of-lease cleaning done to the standard required to pass an inspection is genuinely hard to achieve without experience and the right equipment. Most tenants who attempt it themselves either miss things agents flag, or spend 12+ hours on a clean they could have outsourced for a few hundred dollars.
What Happens If Your Bond Is Claimed?
If your landlord or agent makes a bond claim related to cleaning that you dispute, you can apply to VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) for a hearing. The burden of proof is on the landlord to show the property was returned in a worse condition than at the start of the tenancy — using the condition report and any supporting evidence.
Common successful tenant defences:
- Condition report recorded the area as unclean at move-in
- Move-in photos show the same condition
- Receipt from a professional cleaner showing the clean was completed
- The claimed damage is clearly fair wear and tear
Practical Move-Out Timeline
- 2 weeks before move-out: Book a cleaner if using one — end-of-lease cleaners in Melbourne fill up fast, especially at end of month
- Moving day: Remove all belongings and furniture so cleaners have full access
- Day before final inspection: Complete cleaning or have cleaner finish
- Final inspection day: Do a walk-through using your original condition report and photos as a checklist
- After inspection: Request bond refund via the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) — both tenant and landlord must agree, or VCAT decides
Hiring a Cleaner? Ask These Questions
- Do you offer a re-clean guarantee if the agent flags issues?
- Is your quote fixed-price or hourly?
- Do you follow the REIV inspection checklist?
- Are your staff insured?
Central Sea Cleaning's end-of-lease service is fixed-price, follows the REIV checklist, and includes a written 7-day re-clean guarantee. If your agent flags anything within 7 days, we return and fix it at no charge. Learn more or call 0404 378 911.