Rental Cleans Ltd is a company name that typically refers to a professional cleaning service specialising in end-of-lease and rental property cleans. If you are a tenant, landlord, or real estate agent, you hire such a service to meet the cleaning standards required in a tenancy agreement or to prepare a property for new occupants.
Background: Why Rental Cleaning Is a Separate Industry
Rental cleaning is not the same as a standard domestic clean. It is a niche service built around the specific requirements of lease agreements and property management. Most residential tenancy contracts in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and parts of Canada and the US include a clause stating the property must be returned in the same condition it was at the start of the lease, allowing for “fair wear and tear.” This clause is why professional rental cleans exist: they provide a documented, checklist-driven clean that aims to meet that legal standard.
The industry grew alongside the rise of professional property managers and online booking platforms. In the last two decades, specialised companies have replaced the old model of “a cleaner who also does rentals” with teams that know exactly what a real estate agent inspects: oven interiors, window tracks, skirting boards, and the inside of cupboards. The service is usually booked before the final inspection and is often tied to a bond (security deposit) refund.
How a Rental Clean Typically Works
A standard rental clean is a one-off, deep clean of the entire property. It is more intensive than a weekly or fortnightly clean and usually takes a full day for a two-bedroom home. The process generally follows these steps:
- Quote and booking: You provide the property size and condition, and the company gives a fixed price, often based on number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
- On-site clean: A team arrives with all equipment and products. They clean from top to bottom: ceilings, walls (spot clean), windows, sills, blinds, all surfaces, inside and outside of cupboards, oven, rangehood, dishwasher, bathroom grout, shower screens, toilet, and floors.
- Final inspection: Many companies offer a free re-clean within 48 hours if the agent or landlord flags missed spots. This is the key difference from a normal clean.
- Documentation: You receive a checklist or invoice that you can submit to the agent as proof of the clean.
Some companies also offer carpet steam cleaning as an add-on, which is often a separate requirement in the lease. Check your agreement: if it says “professionally steam clean carpets,” a standard rental clean alone will not satisfy it.
How to Choose a Rental Cleaning Company
Not all cleaning companies are equal. The right one will save you your bond; the wrong one can cost you hundreds in deductions. Here is what to look for:
- Bond-back guarantee: This means if your property manager rejects the clean, the company returns to fix it at no extra cost. Only book with a company that offers this in writing.
- Insurance: The company should have public liability insurance to cover damage to your property or their staff.
- Experience with rental inspections: Ask if their cleaners have worked with real estate agents before. A cleaner who only does domestic work may miss the details an inspector checks.
- Transparent pricing: Be wary of quotes that are far below market rate. A too-cheap clean often means a superficial job that fails inspection.
- Reviews on independent platforms: Check Google or Trustpilot, not just the company’s own website.
One common mistake is booking the cheapest option and then paying for a second clean. The average cost of a rental clean for a two-bedroom apartment in Australia is roughly AUD 200–350, but this varies widely by city and condition. In the UK, a similar clean costs £150–£250. A second clean will cost you the same again, so paying a little more upfront for a reputable company is usually cheaper in total.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
The most frequent issue tenants face is the “fair wear and tear” argument. A rental clean is not meant to fix damage like holes in walls or stained carpets from years of use. Those are not cleaning issues; they are repairs, and you should not pay a cleaning company to attempt them. If your agent tries to deduct for a stain that is actually wear and tear, that is a dispute for the tenancy tribunal or your local tenant advocacy service, not a cleaning problem.
Another misconception is that you must do the clean yourself before the professional arrives. You do not. The whole point of the service is that the team handles everything. However, you should remove all personal belongings and rubbish before they arrive. A cleaning company will not move furniture or dispose of large items; that is a removalist or rubbish-removal job.
A third issue is timing. If you book the clean for the day after you move out, but the agent’s inspection is the same day, you may fail. Always confirm the inspection date and book the clean for the day before, or earlier if the property has been empty for a while.
Rental Clean vs. Regular Deep Clean vs. Carpet Steam Clean
These three services are often confused, but they serve different purposes:
- Rental clean: Focuses on the inspection checklist. It includes the oven, windows, and cupboards, but not necessarily carpet shampooing or exterior windows.
- Regular deep clean: A more thorough version of a standard clean, but not tied to a lease. It may skip the oven or window tracks if you do not ask for them.
- Carpet steam clean: A separate service using hot water extraction. It is usually required by the lease and is charged per room. Some rental clean packages include it, but many do not.
If your lease says “carpets professionally cleaned,” you need the third service. If it only says “cleaned,” a good vacuum and spot treatment may be enough, but check with your agent to avoid a failed inspection.
Costs and What Affects the Price
Rental cleaning prices are not fixed. They depend on several factors:
- Property size: Number of bedrooms and bathrooms is the main driver.
- Condition: A property that has not been cleaned in years will cost more than one that is mostly tidy.
- Extras: Oven cleaning, inside fridge, balcony, garage, and window cleaning are often add-ons.
- Location: City rates are higher than regional rates.
- Access: If the cleaner cannot get in easily or needs to park far away, expect a surcharge.
To avoid a surprise quote, ask for a breakdown in writing. A reputable company will give you a fixed price after seeing photos or a video of the property, not a vague “from” price that doubles on the day.
Safety and Legal Considerations
Before hiring any cleaner, verify that they are legally operating. In most regions, a cleaning business needs an ABN (Australia) or a UTR number (UK) for tax purposes, and they should carry insurance. If a cleaner is injured in your home and they are not insured, you could be liable. Ask for a copy of their certificate of currency before the job starts.
Do not pay the full amount in advance. A deposit is common, but full payment should only be made after the clean is done and you have inspected the result. Also, never let a cleaner use your personal cleaning products unless you have agreed in writing; some products can damage surfaces, and you do not want to be responsible for that.
If your situation involves a bond dispute, a tax deduction, or a legal claim against a landlord, that is beyond what a cleaning company can help with. Ask a qualified professional, such as a tenancy advocate or accountant, for advice.
Template: Rental Clean Checklist
Use this blank checklist to compare quotes or to verify a completed clean. Fill in the columns with the property details and tick each item when done.
| Area | Task | Done | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Oven, stovetop, rangehood, dishwasher (inside and out) | ||
| Kitchen | Cupboards and drawers (inside and out) | ||
| Bathroom | Shower screen, tiles, grout, toilet, basin, mirror | ||
| Bathroom | Vanity and cupboards | ||
| Living/Bedrooms | Skirting boards, window sills, tracks, blinds | ||
| Living/Bedrooms | Walls (spot clean marks), doors and frames | ||
| Floors | Vacuum and mop all hard floors | ||
| Extras | Carpet steam clean (if required) | ||
| Extras | Balcony, garage, or outdoor area |
Sample (fictional): For a 2-bedroom apartment at 5 Sample St, Sydney, the checklist was filled with “Yes” in the Done column for all tasks except “Carpet steam clean,” which was noted as “Not required per lease.” The notes column recorded “Oven was very dirty, took extra time.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a professional rental clean, or can I do it myself?
You can do it yourself, but it is risky. Professional cleaners know exactly what inspectors look for, and they offer a re-clean guarantee. If you miss a spot, the agent can deduct from your bond, and you will have to pay for a second clean anyway. For most people, the cost of a professional clean is worth the peace of mind.
What if the rental clean fails the final inspection?
If you booked a company with a bond-back guarantee, contact them immediately. They will return to fix the missed areas at no extra cost. If you did not have a guarantee, you will need to pay for another clean or do it yourself. Always get the guarantee in writing before booking.
Can the landlord force me to use a specific cleaning company?
No, in most jurisdictions, the landlord cannot force you to use a particular company. They can only require that the property is cleaned to a reasonable standard. If they insist on a specific brand or service, that may be an unfair term in the lease. Check with your local tenancy authority if this happens.
Is a rental clean tax-deductible for landlords?
For landlords, the cost of a rental clean between tenancies is generally a deductible expense against rental income, as it is a cost of preparing the property for a new tenant. However, tax rules vary by country and change frequently. Ask a qualified accountant or tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
Should I tip the cleaning team?
Tipping is not expected in most countries where rental cleans are common, such as Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. In the US or Canada, a 10–15% tip is sometimes appreciated but never mandatory. If you are happy with the job, a positive online review is often more valuable to the company than a tip.