Let’s set the scene: your lease is almost up, your share house is clinging to its last strand of harmony, and someone finally addresses the elephant in the room: it’s cleaning time.
But who’s doing what? And why is no one touching the oven?
If you’ve ever muttered, “Why am I the only one scrubbing?” while elbow-deep in a mouldy fridge, this guide is for you.
Vacate cleaning with housemates can either be a quick team effort or an epic saga of blame, resentment, and passive-aggressive group chats.
Here’s how to avoid a moving meltdown and keep your housemate relationships intact – or at least, civil.
At a Glance
Cleaning with roommates doesn’t have to end in a passive-aggressive text storm or a battle over the vacuum. If you want to keep your bond and your dignity intact, here’s what to focus on:
- Talk early, clean smarter: Set clear expectations before move-out day to avoid last-minute chaos.
- Split jobs fairly: Divide tasks based on room use, not who last touched a mop.
- Know your legal rights: Under Victoria’s new residency tenancy regulations, professional cleaning is only required if it was done before you moved in, and noted in your lease.
- Document everything: Keep receipts and take photos to protect yourself from disputes over cleaning or bond deductions.
- Consider a pro: If things are tense (or messy), bring in a professional end of lease cleaner to keep it stress-free and neutral.
With those bases covered, you’ll be miles ahead of most share houses. Let’s dive deeper into how to make each of these steps simple, fair, and drama-free.
1. Set the Rules Before the Scrubbing Starts
Don’t wait for the last minute to have “the cleaning talk.” A week or two before move-out day, sit down with your housemates (or drop a message in the group chat if that’s more your vibe) and divvy up the tasks.
Be clear. Be fair. Be realistic. Someone who’s barely ever touched the mop probably won’t magically become the grout-scrubbing hero now.
Pro tip: Use a shared checklist or spreadsheet with task owners and deadlines. No more “I thought someone else was doing it.”
2. Divide Tasks by Room, Not Guilt Level
Some people are great at scrubbing bathrooms. Others? Not so much. Instead of forcing everyone into unfamiliar chores, divide cleaning based on the rooms you used most or shared responsibility for.
- You used the kitchen daily? Guess who’s degreasing the stovetop.
- Lived in the biggest room? That means the deepest vacuum and maybe a window clean.
- Always had mates over in the lounge? Better tackle those weird wall marks.
This avoids arguments like “But I never cooked, why should I clean the oven?” (Spoiler: it was still your mess.)
3. Call Out the Bond Clean Expectations Early
This is where tension can start to bubble. Everyone wants their bond back, but no one wants to be the one stuck scrubbing the toilet bowl.
The trick? Get on the same page early about what kind of cleaning is actually required.
Start by checking your rental agreement. Most leases include a section on vacate requirements, but thanks to recent rental law updates in Victoria, the rules have changed slightly for some.
What the law says (and doesn’t say)
According to Tenants Victoria, a new clause in all standard rental agreements from 29 March 2021 allows landlords to request professional cleaning only if:
- The property was professionally cleaned before you moved in, and
- You were informed about it at the start of the lease
- The cleaning is required to restore the property to the same condition, allowing for fair wear and tear
If these conditions don’t apply, you don’t have to fork out for a professional clean, but that doesn’t mean you can skip cleaning altogether.
You’re still legally required to leave the place in a “reasonably clean condition”, and that’s a standard worth taking seriously if you want your full bond back.
What this means for share houses
In share houses, this legal detail often gets lost in the shuffle, especially if not everyone was on the original lease or remembers the move-in condition. That’s why it’s worth revisiting the original agreement or condition report and working out what’s genuinely required.
Even if you’re not legally required to go full pro, hiring a professional vacate cleaner can still be the easiest way to avoid bond disputes, especially when it’s split between housemates or you’re short on time.
And let’s be real: no one wants to be blamed for missed mould behind the sink or gunk in the shower drain.
4. Keep Receipts and Take Photos
Look, we all want to believe our housemates will do the right thing, but when money’s on the line (read: your bond), a little backup never hurts.
Keeping a record of your cleaning efforts isn’t petty – but it’s smart. If there’s any dispute with your housemates or the property manager about the condition of the place when you moved out, you’ll be glad you documented things.
Why receipts matter
If you end up paying for professional cleaning (say, a steam clean for the carpets or a full end of lease service), keep your receipts.
Not only do they help show your contribution if housemates start questioning the split, but they’re also useful if the landlord challenges whether the job was done properly.
Tip: If you’re going halves (or thirds, or fourths), take a photo of the receipt and send it to the group chat. It keeps things transparent and avoids future “I never agreed to that” drama.
Why photos matter even more
Photos are your insurance policy. Before you start cleaning, snap a few pics of key areas, especially ones that could be blamed on you later:
- Your bedroom
- Kitchen appliances
- Shower, toilet, and bathroom tiles
- Living room carpet or damage-prone furniture
Then, once you’ve cleaned your space (or had it professionally cleaned), take ‘after’ photos to show the difference.
As a general rule of thumb, renters only have to leave the place as you found it (minus some fair wear and tear). So if there’s a bond deduction, you’ll be able to show your efforts and push back if it’s unfairly taken out of your share.
Bonus: It helps the next tenant, too
If your lease is being passed on to someone new, having dated photos also helps protect you from being blamed for damage you didn’t cause, especially if you’re not there for the final inspection.
Bottom line: Photos and receipts are your backup in case things turn sour. Hopefully, you won’t need them, but if you do, they could save you hundreds and a lot of unnecessary group chat tension.
6. Clean Communally, Not Passive-Aggressively
Group cleaning doesn’t have to be a silent standoff. Blast a playlist, hand out sponges, and make it a team session. You’d be surprised how fast things go when everyone chips in at once.
If you’re cleaning in stages, check in with each other. “Hey, I finished the shower, do you want me to help with the oven?” is better than “Wow, some people clearly don’t care about the bond.”
7. Still Got Issues? Pick Your Battles (and Your Housemates)
At the end of the day, you might not agree on everything. Some people are neat freaks, others don’t see the problem with a fridge that smells like 2021.
If someone’s not meeting the standard, you can either escalate it (and risk a fallout) or do a bit more yourself and avoid the drama. Only you know what’s worth the stress.
If it’s a consistent issue across your tenancy, take it as a lesson for your next housemate search.
Clean House, Clear Conscience
Moving out is stressful enough without adding “cleaning politics” to the mix. With a bit of planning, fairness, and maybe a little outside help, you can leave your share house without burning bridges (or your bond).
Because while your time together may be ending, your group chat screenshots could last forever.
Need a helping hand?
Whether it’s a student share house, a couple’s apartment, or the classic four-stranger flat, Mrs Muscle’s Cleaning is here to help.
We handle everything from carpets to cupboards, giving you a spotless exit and saving your friendships in the process.
Get a free quote today – no drama required.
