End of Lease Cleaning Prices — Brunswick & Inner North Melbourne (2026)

If you’re moving out of a rental in Brunswick, Carlton, Fitzroy, Northcote, or anywhere in Melbourne’s inner north, you’ve probably already searched for bond cleaning prices. And you’ve probably noticed the quotes range from $180 to $700 for what sounds like the same job.

This guide breaks down what end of lease cleaning actually costs in the inner north in 2026, what’s included at each price point, and why the “cheapest” quote often isn’t the cheapest once you add the extras your agent will require.

Why prices vary so much

The gap between a $200 quote and a $600 quote usually comes down to three things: what’s included in the base price, whether they charge by the hour or by the job, and what they leave out.

Hourly-rate cleaners typically charge $40–$60 per hour. A 1BR “should” take 3–4 hours, so they’ll quote $160–$240. But if the oven is greasy or the grout needs scrubbing, it takes longer and your bill grows. You don’t know the final cost until the job is done.

Fixed-price cleaners quote a set amount based on bedrooms and bathrooms. The price doesn’t change regardless of how long the job takes. The risk sits with the cleaner, not with you.

Marketplace gig workers (Airtasker, Hipages) quote low to win the job. A Brunswick Airtasker task for a 1BR end-of-lease clean recently went for $180. But there’s no standardised checklist, no guarantee, and no accountability if the agent fails the property.

What a 1BR bond clean costs in inner north Melbourne (2026)

Here’s what you’ll actually pay for a 1-bedroom end-of-lease clean in the inner north, based on real pricing from providers operating in this area:

Provider type	Base price	+ Oven	+ Walls	+ Carpet
Budget / marketplace	$180–$240	Extra	Extra	Extra
Mid-range company	$250–$350	+$65	+$80–$120	+$70–$100
Smoover (fixed price)	$420	Included	Included	+$80

Once you add oven cleaning, wall spot cleaning, and one room of carpet steam to a mid-range company’s base price, the total lands between $465 and $635. Smoover’s all-in price with carpet is $500.

What’s included at each price point

Under $300: Typically a base clean only, floors, surfaces, bathroom wipe-down. Oven, rangehood, wall cleaning, and windows are usually extra. Carpet steam is always extra. No guarantee, or a limited 24-hour window. Often hourly-rate, meaning the cost can increase on the day.

$300–$450: Most professional companies sit here. Usually includes kitchen, bathroom, floors, and basic surfaces. Oven and wall cleaning may or may not be included, always ask. Guarantee is typically 48–72 hours. Fixed pricing is common but not universal.

$420+ (Smoover): Full inspection checklist included in the base price. Oven deep clean, rangehood, all cupboards inside and out, wall spot cleaning, internal windows and tracks, skirting boards, light switches, and full bathroom deep clean. The only extra is carpet steam cleaning at $95 per room. 72-hour re-clean guarantee. Fixed price — no hourly rates, no scope surprises.

Pricing by property size — Smoover inner north Melbourne

Property	Fixed price	+ Carpet (1 room)	Total with carpet
1 Bedroom / 1 Bathroom	$420	+$80	$500
2 Bedroom / 1 Bathroom	$549	+$190	$739
3 Bedroom / 1 Bathroom	$699	+$285	$984

Prices does not include GST, all cleaning supplies included. A 15% surcharge applies on weekends and public holidays. Condition-based surcharges may apply for heavily soiled properties — we’ll confirm any extras upfront after seeing photos.

Tips from cleaning inner-north apartments every week

Book after you’ve moved everything out. We can clean around furniture, but the result is always better — and faster — when the property is empty. This also avoids any risk of damage claims on your belongings.

Check your condition report for carpet cleaning. If your lease started with a professional carpet clean receipt, most agents will expect one at move-out. We offer carpet steam at $80 per room, cheaper than booking a separate carpet cleaner.

Leave at least one day between the clean and the inspection. This gives you a buffer if anything needs touching up. It also lets surfaces dry properly, streaky windows often just need time to dry.

Don’t forget window tracks. This is the single most common fail point we see in Brunswick and Carlton apartments. Agents check window tracks specifically. Scrub them with a toothbrush and soapy water, or let us handle it, it’s included in every Smoover clean.

The bond maths

The average bond in Melbourne is approximately $2,300 (based on the median weekly rent of $580, multiplied by the four-week bond cap under Victorian law). According to the RTBA’s 2023–24 Annual Report, 36% of Victorian tenants lose part or all of their bond at move-out. Cleaning is consistently the most common reason for deductions.

A $420 clean to protect a $2,300 bond is a 5.5:1 protection ratio. Even if you only get back 80% of your bond because of other issues, the clean pays for itself.

Book your bond clean

Smoover provides fixed-price end of lease cleaning across Brunswick, Carlton, Fitzroy, Northcote, Coburg, Collingwood, Thornbury, and Preston.

One price. Full checklist. 72-hour re-clean guarantee. The only extra is carpet steam.

Book online at smoover.com.au or call 0426 355 735.