Professional bond cleaning across Melbourne — accepted by the RTBA and every major Melbourne real estate agency
Melbourne's rental market runs on the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (VIC), with bonds held by the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA). A professional bond clean to the standard of your ingoing condition report is the difference between a full bond refund and a VCAT dispute.
Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) holds every residential tenancy bond in Victoria. Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (VIC), the bond is capped at Equal to 1 month's rent (no more than 1 month, regardless of furnished/unfurnished), and the landlord has 14 days from the date you vacate to apply for a claim.
A landlord must apply to the RTBA within 14 days of the tenant vacating to claim any amount from the bond. Disputes are heard by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Cleaning standards must match the ingoing condition report — not just "generally clean".
Pricing below is indicative for standard Melbourne rentals. Final quotes depend on property size, condition, and any extras such as carpet steam cleaning or wall spot-cleaning.
| Property Type | Low End | High End |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $120 | $180 |
| 1 bedroom | $150 | $210 |
| 2 bedroom | $210 | $280 |
| 3 bedroom | $260 | $340 |
| 4 bedroom house | $340 | $460 |
Add carpet steam cleaning from $80–$150 for a standard 2-bedroom property.
BondBack teams service every Melbourne metro suburb. Here are the most-booked:
In Victoria, the bond is held by the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA), a Victorian Government body. The landlord must lodge the bond with the RTBA within 10 business days of receiving it. The RTBA holds the bond until all parties agree on the refund or VCAT makes an order.
Yes, but only if the property isn't returned in the same condition as the ingoing condition report (allowing for reasonable wear and tear). "Reasonably clean" isn't enough — the standard is what was documented at the start of the tenancy. A receipted professional bond clean that matches the ingoing report is your strongest defence.
A landlord must apply to the RTBA within 14 days of the tenancy ending to claim any amount from the bond. If they don't, the bond is refunded to you in full. Disputes about deductions are resolved by VCAT, which usually favours the party with the better documentation.
Yes. The RTBA and VCAT both expect a tax invoice plus a certificate of completion before releasing the bond. Without it, your landlord can more easily claim the cleaning cost was "unprofessional" and deduct a larger amount from your bond.