New South Wales

New South Wales · NSW

Bond Cleaning Checklist NSW — Get 100% of Your Bond Back in New South Wales

Our free bond cleaning checklist is built for New South Wales tenants ending a lease. Whether you're renting in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the Central Coast or Parramatta, NSW tenancy law requires you to leave the premises 'reasonably clean' under section 63(3) of the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW), having regard to the condition at the start of the tenancy. This page explains what 'reasonably clean' means in NSW, what agents check at a NSW exit inspection, and how to claim your bond back from the Rental Bond Board — or dispute a cleaning deduction at NCAT.

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What 'reasonably clean' means in New South Wales

In New South Wales, the standard is 'reasonably clean' — not professionally cleaned or pristine, but tidy relative to the condition recorded in your Entry Condition Report at the start of the tenancy. Existing wear and tear noted at entry cannot be charged against you at exit. Keep your signed condition report and dated entry photos as your benchmark.

What NSW property managers check at exit inspections

  • Kitchen oven, rangehood, cooktop and behind/under appliances
  • Bathroom mould, grout, silicone and exhaust fan covers
  • Window tracks, blinds, skirting boards and door frames
  • Cobwebs in corners, eaves and outdoor areas
  • Carpet condition, wardrobe tracks and shelf dust
  • Garage floor oil stains and general broom-clean state

Bond authority

NSW Fair Trading

Governing law

Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW)

Time limit

Apply to NCAT within 3 months (bond disputes up to 6 months) from when the issue arose.

How to claim your bond back in New South Wales

To claim your bond back in NSW, lodge a bond claim with NSW Fair Trading (online via Rental Bond Online or by paper form) signed by all parties. If the landlord disputes the refund, contact NSW Fair Trading for free tenancy dispute resolution (conciliation). If unresolved, apply to NCAT's Consumer and Commercial Division — generally within 3 months, or up to 6 months for bond disputes.

NSW Fair Trading NCAT (NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal)

Areas we cover across New South Wales

Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Central Coast, Parramatta, Penrith, Coffs Harbour

Ready to get your bond back in NSW?

Open the full room-by-room checklist and tick off every task your NSW agent will inspect.

Start the checklist

General information, not legal advice. Verify current forms, fees and time limits on the official NSW Fair Trading and NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal websites.