Apartment Bond Clean: Strata Rules, Balconies and Common Areas
Bond cleans in apartments carry risks houses do not — balcony drainage, strata noise windows, common hallways. Here is what goes in the quote and what does not.
Apartments look simpler than houses — fewer rooms, no garden. In practice they carry bond risks a house does not: strata by-laws about cleaning chemicals, balcony overflow rules, and common-area access windows that shape when we can bring equipment in.
What is in-scope for an apartment bond clean
- Everything inside the lot boundary — kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, living, laundry
- Inside the balcony — sweep, tile wash, railing wipe, drain clear
- Inside storage cages if part of the lease
- Door thresholds to common corridor — wiped from inside the lot
- Carpet steam cleaning with truck-mount (long hose deployed up to level 8+)
What is typically out of scope (strata territory)
- Hallway carpet outside your door (strata cleans this)
- External window glass from outside (body corporate arranges)
- Lift, stairwell, bin rooms, gym — never the tenant's obligation
- Balcony external rails visible to street (strata, unless specified on lease)
Balcony drainage rule we always check
Most strata by-laws forbid washing balconies with volumes of water that overflow to the unit below. We clean with damp-mop and bucket method, not hosing. If your balcony drain is blocked (very common in high-rises after 3+ years), we clear it as part of the job — but significant blockages may require a plumber and are flagged before we start.
Access logistics that save money
- Book the service elevator in advance — one hour minimum for carpet equipment
- Confirm parking: loading bay vs visitor spots vs street — affects crew time on site
- Check strata noise hours — some buildings limit vacuuming to 8am–6pm weekdays
- Flag any building-specific cleaning product restrictions (some ban bleach on stone floors)
We handle the strata logistics. Tell us your building and level when you book.
Quote an apartment bond clean