Losing part of your bond over missed cleaning is one of the most avoidable moving-day costs in New Zealand. Under the Residential Tenancies Act you are not required to leave the property in better condition than you found it, but you do need to return it in the same condition allowing for fair wear and tear. In practice that means properly clean. This guide walks you through exactly what Hibiscus Coast landlords and property managers look for at the final inspection.
Kitchen
The kitchen is the most common source of bond deductions. Grease builds up in places you never look at day to day, and property managers check every one of them.
- Inside and outside of oven, including racks, trays, and glass door
- Rangehood filter degreased or replaced
- Stovetop including under the elements and the drip trays
- Inside and outside of the fridge and freezer (defrosted and turned off on moving day)
- Dishwasher filter and seals cleaned, interior wiped
- All cupboards and drawers emptied, wiped inside and out
- Bench tops, splashback, and underneath small appliances
- Sink, taps, and drain descaled and polished
- Floor vacuumed and mopped, including behind the fridge if possible
Bathrooms and laundry
- Shower screen, tiles, and grout descaled, soap scum removed
- Shower head descaled (soak in white vinegar if heavily limed)
- Toilet bowl, seat, base, and behind the cistern
- Vanity, mirror, and inside of drawers and cabinets
- Extractor fan cover wiped free of dust
- Towel rails, door handles, and light switches
- Washing machine lint filter and detergent drawer
- Floors mopped, skirting boards wiped
Living areas and bedrooms
- Inside of wardrobes, drawers, and the top shelves
- Window tracks, sills, and sliding door runners vacuumed
- Inside of windows, plus any accessible exterior panes
- Curtains or blinds dusted, washed if the tenancy agreement requires
- Light fittings and ceiling fans free of dust and insects
- Switch plates, door handles, and door frames wiped
- Skirting boards, architraves, and any wall marks spot cleaned
- Carpets vacuumed; professional carpet clean if required by the agreement
Outside and shared areas
- Garage floor swept, oil stains treated
- Patio or deck swept, cobwebs knocked down from eaves
- Letterbox emptied, rubbish and recycling bins rinsed
- Any garden maintenance required in the agreement (mowing, weeding)
Timing your clean
Book cleaners for the day after you move your belongings out, not the same day. Trying to clean while removalists are still in the house is how scuff marks and dust get missed. Aim to have the property fully clean at least 24 hours before your final inspection so you have time to touch up anything you notice on a walk through.
When to call in a professional
If any of the following apply, booking a professional exit clean usually pays for itself in bond protection: the tenancy was 18 months or longer, pets were living in the property, the oven has not been deep cleaned in six months, or the agreement explicitly requires a professional clean and carpet clean with receipts. Most property managers will accept a receipt from a reputable local cleaner as proof the job was done to standard.