Moving out of an office is stressful enough — the last thing any business wants is to lose part of their bond due to cleaning oversights. Commercial leases typically require tenants to return the premises in the same clean, well-maintained condition as when they moved in.

This guide walks you through the essential steps of end-of-lease office cleaning, what landlords look for during the final inspection, and how to give yourself the best chance of securing your full bond refund. If you want to skip the stress and ensure a flawless result, a professional cleaning partner like Royce Cleaning can streamline the entire process.

1. Understand Your Lease Requirements Before Cleaning Begins

Every commercial lease outlines “make good” or “end-of-lease” conditions. These may include:

Professional steam cleaning of carpets
Removal of stains, marks and odours
Cleaning kitchens, bathrooms and break rooms
Window and glass cleaning
Dusting and sanitising all surfaces
Removal of rubbish, furniture and personal items
Restoring the space to its original condition
Patching small wall holes or removing stickers/signage

Start by reviewing your lease or entry condition report to ensure your cleaning aligns with expectations.

2. Conduct a Thorough Walkthrough and Create a Cleaning Checklist

Before you begin, walk through the entire office and take note of areas needing attention. Prioritise:

High-traffic zones
Reception and entry areas
Meeting rooms
Kitchens and bathrooms
Storage rooms
Carpets and flooring
Glass partitions and internal windows
Walls, skirting boards and light switches

A structured checklist helps prevent last-minute surprises during your final inspection.

3. Focus on the Big Ticket Items Landlords Inspect Closely

✓ Carpets & Flooring

Carpets trap dust, stains, and odours — and are one of the first things inspectors look at.

Vacuum thoroughly with a HEPA filter
Spot-clean stains
Consider professional carpet steam cleaning for a guaranteed result
Sweep and mop hard floors

✓ Kitchens & Breakout Areas

These must look spotless:

Clean sinks, taps and benches
Scrub stovetops or microwaves
Wipe cabinets and handles
Remove food, crumbs and spills
Mop floors and remove odours

✓ Bathrooms

Nothing reduces your bond faster than dirty bathrooms. Ensure:

Sanitised toilets and urinals
Clean sinks, taps and mirrors
Disinfected handles and partitions
Restocked consumables
Fresh, odour-free floors

✓ Walls, Skirting & Doors

These are commonly overlooked:

Remove marks, scuffs and fingerprints
Dust skirting boards
Wipe door frames and handles
Patch small nail holes (if required by lease)

✓ Windows & Glass

Smudge-free glass dramatically improves the overall impression of cleanliness.

Clean internal windows
Wipe glass partitions
Remove sticky tape residue
Ensure entry doors are spotless

4. Remove All Furniture, Rubbish & Personal Items

Your tenancy typically requires you to clear everything out unless otherwise agreed.
This includes:

Old furniture
Documents
E-waste
Decorations
Whiteboards
Storage boxes

Leaving items behind may result in disposal fees deducted from your bond.

5. Don’t Forget Air Quality & Odour Control

A freshly cleaned office should also smell neutral — not perfumed.
Avoid strong fragrances that might irritate inspectors or trigger allergies.

Recommended:

Neutral odour absorbers
Dampness or mould checks
Cleaning vents and dusting air returns

6. Schedule Professional End-of-Lease Cleaning (Highly Recommended)

Getting your bond back depends heavily on the quality of the final clean.
Professional cleaners like Royce Cleaning specialise in:

Deep, end-of-lease office cleaning
Professional carpet steam cleaning
Window and glass cleaning
Kitchen and bathroom sanitisation
Fragrance-free cleaning options
Rubbish removal and disposal
Guaranteed quality standards
After-hours and weekend availability

A professional service ensures your premises meets commercial lease standards — and significantly reduces the risk of bond deductions.

7. Prepare for the Final Inspection with Confidence

Before the landlord or property manager arrives:

Double-check high-touch areas
Ensure all rubbish is removed
Open windows for ventilation
Turn on lights to highlight cleanliness
Walk through the inspection route they will take

This final polish can make all the difference.

End-of-lease office cleaning is more than a quick tidy — it’s a detailed process that requires planning, precision and the right expertise. By following this guide and prioritising the areas landlords care about most, you give yourself the best chance of a full bond refund.

For a hassle-free, guaranteed result, Royce Cleaning can manage the entire end-of-lease cleaning process, ensuring your office is left spotless, compliant, and ready for handover.