Moving out is stressful enough without a bond dispute over carpet. Here's how end-of-lease carpet cleaning works on the Sunshine Coast, what your property manager is actually checking, and how to get your bond back without paying for more than you need.
Do you have to get the carpets professionally cleaned?
In Queensland, the general rule is that you need to hand the property back in the same condition it was in when you moved in, allowing for fair wear and tear. Many lease agreements go further and specifically require a professional carpet clean at the end of the tenancy — and almost all of them require a flea treatment if a pet has lived there. Check your lease and your entry condition report; if the carpets were professionally cleaned before you moved in, expect to be asked for the same.
Even where it isn't strictly required, a professional clean with a receipt is the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy against a deduction from the bond. A property manager who sees clean carpet and a receipt has nothing to argue about.
What property managers look for at the exit inspection
- Traffic lanes — the darker paths from the door to the couch and down the hallway. These are the first thing they see and the first thing a proper hot water extraction removes.
- Stains and marks, especially anything not on the entry report.
- Pet odour. Managers know what a wet-dog carpet smells like, and it's an instant red flag.
- Furniture dents (these lift with steam, so mention them).
- A receipt from a professional cleaner, ideally with the flea treatment noted on it.
Flea treatment: when it's required
If a pet has lived at the property, most Queensland leases require a flea treatment on exit, whether or not you've ever seen a flea. Flea eggs sit deep in the carpet pile and hatch when a new tenant moves in, so managers don't take chances. We do the treatment straight after the steam clean, on the same visit, and note it on your receipt. It's $40 plus $10 per room.
What it costs
For a typical Sunshine Coast rental, a three-bedroom with carpeted bedrooms and living area sits around $260 to $290 for the carpet clean, or $290 to $330 with flea treatment included. Larger homes add about $30 per room. Stain treatments are $14 each and we confirm any we find with you before treating them.
Common end-of-lease mistakes
- Hiring a supermarket machine. The result rarely passes inspection, and you've spent half a day and $60 to find that out.
- Cleaning too early. Carpet cleaned a week before you move out picks up every scuff from the move.
- Forgetting the flea treatment when you've had a pet. It's the most common reason for a bond deduction we hear about.
- Not keeping the receipt. Ask for it to be emailed so it's in writing.
Fast turnarounds for tenants and property managers
We do end-of-lease cleans across the Coast every week and can usually fit you in within a few days. Property managers and agencies get scheduled rates and a receipt they can drop straight into the file. If you're up against a handover date, call us — we'll tell you honestly whether we can make it.
By A1 Carpet Cleaning