Whether you legally need professional carpet cleaning to get your bond back is one of the most common rental questions in Australia. The answer comes down to your lease and your pets.
Check your lease first
Many leases include a clause requiring professional carpet steam cleaning at the end of the tenancy, sometimes with a receipt. In most states an agent can’t demand it unless it’s reasonable — but if you had pets, expect it to be required.
When steam cleaning is worth it anyway
- ✓You had pets (odour and hair are inspection red flags)
- ✓Visible stains or heavy traffic marks
- ✓The lease specifies professional cleaning with proof
- ✓The carpets were professionally cleaned at move-in
Bundling it with your bond clean
Booking carpet steam cleaning together with your end-of-lease clean is usually cheaper than arranging both separately, and it means one team and one receipt for the agent.