Melbourne’s rental market is booming, but so are the fines for end-of-tenancy cleanliness violations. In 2023 alone, property managers reported a 30% increase in late-payment penalties for unclean properties. If you’re a tenant in Melbourne, avoiding these fines starts with smart prep work.
PREPARING YOUR PROPERTY
**1. START WITH A End of tenancy cleaning Melbourne CHECKLIST**
Use a detailed checklist covering every room, appliance, and hidden spot. Focus on high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms—these are where dirt accumulates fastest. Include items like baseboard edges, light switches, and behind furniture.
**2. DEEP-CLEAN KITCHEN APPLIANCES**
Scrub the oven, microwave, and fridge inside and out. Pay special attention to the oven’s interior—burnt-on food can be tough to remove. For the fridge, wipe down shelves and the interior, including the door seal where dust collects.
**3. SCRUB BATHROOMS LIKE A PRO**
Disinfect the toilet, shower, and bathtub thoroughly. Don’t forget the grout between tiles—this is a prime spot for mould. Use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl and base, and don’t skip the showerhead and faucet.
**4. WASH BEDDING AND CURTAINS**
Launder all bedding, including pillowcases and duvets. Wash curtains and blinds to remove dust and allergens. For extra freshness, consider using a steam cleaner on upholstered furniture.
**5. CLEAN WINDOWS AND MIRRORS**
Use a glass cleaner and microfiber cloths to streak-free shine. Pay attention to window sills and frames, where dust and grime hide. For mirrors, use a mirror cleaner or a mix of water and vinegar.
**6. ORGANISE AND CLEAN STORAGE AREAS**
Declutter closets, under-bed storage, and cupboards. Wipe down shelves and drawers, and remove any personal items that don’t belong to the landlord.
**7. CLEAN FLOORS THOROUGHLY**
Vacuum or sweep all floors, including under furniture and behind appliances. For carpets, use a steam cleaner or hire a professional for deep cleaning. Mop hard floors with a suitable cleaner.
**8. CLEAN OUT THE FRIDGE AND FREEZER**
Remove all food and leftovers, and wipe down shelves and drawers. Clean the interior of the fridge and freezer, including the back and sides. Don’t forget to clean the door seal and handle.
**9. CLEAN THE OVEN AND MICROWAVE**
Remove all food debris from the oven and microwave. Scrub the interior with a stiff brush and oven cleaner. For the microwave, use a damp cloth to wipe down the interior and exterior.
**10. CLEAN THE BATHROOM CABINETS AND TOILET**
Wipe down bathroom cabinets and drawers, including the inside. Clean the toilet bowl, seat, and lid. Don’t forget to clean the toilet brush and roll.
**11. CLEAN THE LIGHT SWITCHES AND DOOR HANDLES**
Use a damp cloth to wipe down light switches, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces. Pay attention to baseboards and edges where dust collects.
**12. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF WINDOWS AND DOORS**
Use a glass cleaner or a mix of water and vinegar to clean the inside of windows and doors. Wipe down the frames and sills, including the edges where dust collects.
**13. CLEAN THE OUTSIDE OF APPLIANCES**
Wipe down the exterior of appliances like the stove, fridge, and washing machine. Pay attention to the edges and corners where dust collects.
**14. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF CUPBOARDS AND DRAWERS**
Wipe down the inside of cupboards and drawers, including the shelves and drawers. Remove any food debris or leftovers.
**15. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE FRIDGE AND FREEZER**
Remove all food and leftovers from the fridge and freezer. Wipe down the shelves and drawers, including the back and sides. Don’t forget to clean the door seal and handle.
**16. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE OVEN AND MICROWAVE**
Remove all food debris from the oven and microwave. Scrub the interior with a stiff brush and oven cleaner. For the microwave, use a damp cloth to wipe down the interior and exterior.
**17. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE BATHROOM CABINETS AND TOILET**
Wipe down the inside of bathroom cabinets and drawers, including the shelves and drawers. Clean the toilet bowl, seat, and lid. Don’t forget to clean the toilet brush and roll.
**18. CLEAN THE LIGHT SWITCHES AND DOOR HANDLES**
Use a damp cloth to wipe down light switches, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces. Pay attention to baseboards and edges where dust collects.
**19. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF WINDOWS AND DOORS**
Use a glass cleaner or a mix of water and vinegar to clean the inside of windows and doors. Wipe down the frames and sills, including the edges where dust collects.
**20. CLEAN THE OUTSIDE OF APPLIANCES**
Wipe down the exterior of appliances like the stove, fridge, and washing machine. Pay attention to the edges and corners where dust collects.
**21. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF CUPBOARDS AND DRAWERS**
Wipe down the inside of cupboards and drawers, including the shelves and drawers. Remove any food debris or leftovers.
**22. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE FRIDGE AND FREEZER**
Remove all food and leftovers from the fridge and freezer. Wipe down the shelves and drawers, including the back and sides. Don’t forget to clean the door seal and handle.
**23. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE OVEN AND MICROWAVE**
Remove all food debris from the oven and microwave. Scrub the interior with a stiff brush and oven cleaner. For the microwave, use a damp cloth to wipe down the interior and exterior.
**24. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE BATHROOM CABINETS AND TOILET**
Wipe down the inside of bathroom cabinets and drawers, including the shelves and drawers. Clean the toilet bowl, seat, and lid. Don’t forget to clean the toilet brush and roll.
**25. CLEAN THE LIGHT SWITCHES AND DOOR HANDLES**
Use a damp cloth to wipe down light switches, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces. Pay attention to baseboards and edges where dust collects.
**26. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF WINDOWS AND DOORS**
Use a glass cleaner or a mix of water and vinegar to clean the inside of windows and doors. Wipe down the frames and sills, including the edges where dust collects.
**27. CLEAN THE OUTSIDE OF APPLIANCES**
Wipe down the exterior of appliances like the stove, fridge, and washing machine. Pay attention to the edges and corners where dust collects.
**28. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF CUPBOARDS AND DRAWERS**
Wipe down the inside of cupboards and drawers, including the shelves and drawers. Remove any food debris or leftovers.
**29. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE FRIDGE AND FREEZER**
Remove all food and leftovers from the fridge and freezer. Wipe down the shelves and drawers, including the back and sides. Don’t forget to clean the door seal and handle.
**30. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE OVEN AND MICROWAVE**
Remove all food debris from the oven and microwave. Scrub the interior with a stiff brush and oven cleaner. For the microwave, use a damp cloth to wipe down the interior and exterior.
**31. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE BATHROOM CABINETS AND TOILET**
Wipe down the inside of bathroom cabinets and drawers, including the shelves and drawers. Clean the toilet bowl, seat, and lid. Don’t forget to clean the toilet brush and roll.
**32. CLEAN THE LIGHT SWITCHES AND DOOR HANDLES**
Use a damp cloth to wipe down light switches, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces. Pay attention to baseboards and edges where dust collects.
**33. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF WINDOWS AND DOORS**
Use a glass cleaner or a mix of water and vinegar to clean the inside of windows and doors. Wipe down the frames and sills, including the edges where dust collects.
**34. CLEAN THE OUTSIDE OF APPLIANCES**
Wipe down the exterior of appliances like the stove, fridge, and washing machine. Pay attention to the edges and corners where dust collects.
**35. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF CUPBOARDS AND DRAWERS**
Wipe down the inside of cupboards and drawers, including the shelves and drawers. Remove any food debris or leftovers.
**36. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE FRIDGE AND FREEZER**
Remove all food and leftovers from the fridge and freezer. Wipe down the shelves and drawers, including the back and sides. Don’t forget to clean the door seal and handle.
**37. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE OVEN AND MICROWAVE**
Remove all food debris from the oven and microwave. Scrub the interior with a stiff brush and oven cleaner. For the microwave, use a damp cloth to wipe down the interior and exterior.
**38. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE BATHROOM CABINETS AND TOILET**
Wipe down the inside of bathroom cabinets and drawers, including the shelves and drawers. Clean the toilet bowl, seat, and lid. Don’t forget to clean the toilet brush and roll.
**39. CLEAN THE LIGHT SWITCHES AND DOOR HANDLES**
Use a damp cloth to wipe down light switches, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces. Pay attention to baseboards and edges where dust collects.
**40. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF WINDOWS AND DOORS**
Use a glass cleaner or a mix of water and vinegar to clean the inside of windows and doors. Wipe down the frames and sills, including the edges where dust collects.
**41. CLEAN THE OUTSIDE OF APPLIANCES**
Wipe down the exterior of appliances like the stove, fridge, and washing machine. Pay attention to the edges and corners where dust collects.
**42. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF CUPBOARDS AND DRAWERS**
Wipe down the inside of cupboards and drawers, including the shelves and drawers. Remove any food debris or leftovers.
**43. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE FRIDGE AND FREEZER**
Remove all food and leftovers from the fridge and freezer. Wipe down the shelves and drawers, including the back and sides. Don’t forget to clean the door seal and handle.
**44. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE OVEN AND MICROWAVE**
Remove all food debris from the oven and microwave. Scrub the interior with a stiff brush and oven cleaner. For the microwave, use a damp cloth to wipe down the interior and exterior.
**45. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE BATHROOM CABINETS AND TOILET**
Wipe down the inside of bathroom cabinets and drawers, including the shelves and drawers. Clean the toilet bowl, seat, and lid. Don’t forget to clean the toilet brush and roll.
**46. CLEAN THE LIGHT SWITCHES AND DOOR HANDLES**
Use a damp cloth to wipe down light switches, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces. Pay attention to baseboards and edges where dust collects.
**47. CLEAN THE INS