Handing the keys back to your rental provider can feel like a high-stakes moment. A missed cobweb, an overlooked carpet stain or a pile of junk in the shed is sometimes all it takes for an agent to withhold part (or all) of your bond.
The good news is that a structured plan (and some timely end of lease rubbish removal) can eliminate those last-minute surprises. Use the guide below to tick every box, clear every corner and maximize your bond return.
Understand What Your Rental Provider Can Claim
Under Victorian legislation, landlords can deduct bond money to cover cleaning or damage that falls outside “fair wear and tear”. Cleaning is consistently listed as one of the most common bond disputes with Consumer Affairs Victoria. Knowing this upfront helps you target the exact areas that matter most.
Seven-Step Bond-Back Cleaning Checklist
| Area | What Agents Expect |
| Kitchen | Oven, cook-top, rangehood degreased; cupboards wiped; fridge cavity empty and clean |
| Bathrooms | Soap scum removed, grout mould-free, taps polished, mirrors streak-free |
| Floors | Carpets professionally steam-cleaned (keep receipt); hard floors swept and mopped |
| Walls / Skirting | Cobwebs dusted, scuff marks wiped, nail holes filled (with permission) |
| Windows | Glass cleaned inside; tracks vacuumed and wiped |
| Outdoor Areas | Lawns mown, paths swept, bins washed, any green waste removed |
| Rubbish & Junk | No furniture, white-goods or loose bags left anywhere on the property |
Rubbish Removal Options – What Actually Saves Time and Money?
When tenants think “cheap” they often default to DIY tip runs or skip-bin hire, but both options come with hidden costs. Multiple trips to the transfer station chew through fuel and weekend hours, while skip bins usually require a council permit ($86–$200 in the City of Melbourne) and occupy precious driveway space for a week or more. You also have to load the bin yourself, risking back strain and still paying full price even if the bin isn’t filled to capacity.
A professional rubbish removal crew (like Red Rabbit) arrives in one truck, sorts items on the spot for recycling or donation, and is gone in under an hour for most end-of-lease jobs (depending on the amount of rubbish to be removed of course!) There are no council forms, no heavy lifting, and no surprise fees.
In many cases our all-inclusive quote works out 10–25 per cent cheaper than a skip, especially once you account for your own time.
How to Sort Your Belongings Before the Truck Arrives
We recommend working room-by-room and allocating every item to one of four piles:
- Keep / Pack – box and label items you’re taking.
- Donate – furniture, clothes or appliances in good condition.
- Recycle – e-waste, metals, cardboard and soft plastics.
- Dispose – broken, stained or obsolete goods.
Start with any room you rarely use. This is often the spare bedroom or garage. Seal “keep” items in clearly labelled boxes, then move them out of the way so you can see what is left.
Our team will load the “donate” and “recycle” piles separately. Anything genuinely unsalvageable is removed last, ensuring maximum reuse and minimum waste. Here are some items set for donation to a local primary school after one of our clean ups.
The One-Week Countdown
Seven days out is the sweet spot for booking rubbish removal: close enough to your inspection that junk won’t re-accumulate, but early enough that you can deep-clean an empty property. Here’s a simple timeline you can follow:
- Day 7–6: Confirm carpet cleaner and gather packing materials.
- Day 5–4: Finish boxing personal belongings; move them off-site if possible.
- Day 3: Red Rabbit arrives, clears all unwanted items, and leaves rooms open for cleaning.
- Day 2: Conduct wall-wipe, oven degrease, and bathroom mould check without obstacles in the way.
- Day 1: Final vacuum, mop and photo documentation to mirror your original condition report.
Following this schedule means you hand back the keys knowing the property is spotless, clutter-free and ready for the next tenant—maximising your chances of a full bond return.
Secure Your Bond and Book Red Rabbit Today
When it comes to end-of-lease rubbish removal, Red Rabbit services every Melbourne suburb, from Richmond and Carlton to Werribee and Reservoir. We load, sort, recycle and donate so you can focus on cleaning and moving forward.
Ready for a stress-free final inspection? Call Denny for a quick quote today.
