On a quote form, a townhouse usually counts as a house. On cleaning day it behaves differently: the same bedrooms and bathrooms are spread over two or three levels, joined by stairs, often with a high void over the stairwell, an internal garage and a courtyard or balcony. None of that changes the standard — Consumer Affairs Victoria says renters must leave the property reasonably clean, allowing for fair wear and tear, whatever its shape. It changes the order of work, what is within reach and how long it takes.

This guide is for renters moving out of townhouses and multi-storey homes. The rules mentioned are general information, not legal advice.

What is different about more than one level

  • Stairs. Every step has a tread, a front edge and back corners where dust collects, and handrails and balustrades collect fingerprints. Stairs are also the busiest walkway in the home.
  • More bathrooms. Townhouses often have an ensuite and a powder room or separate toilet as well as the main bathroom, and wet areas take more time per square metre than any other room.
  • Height. Stairwell voids, high windows and light fittings above the stairs are often well over head height.
  • The garage. Internal garages are common, and dust from the garage floor travels into the house.
  • Outdoor space. A small courtyard, an upper-level balcony, or both.
  • Moving between floors. Equipment, buckets and the vacuum all go up and down the stairs, so the same rooms take longer than they would on one level.

Work from the top down

Dust falls, and people walk downstairs. Cleaning in this order means nothing has to be done twice:

  1. Top floor first — bedrooms, built-in wardrobes and the ensuite, finishing with the floors and working back towards the stairs.
  2. The stairs, from the top step down.
  3. Middle floors, if there are any, the same way.
  4. Ground floor last — kitchen, living areas, laundry and powder room, then the floors, finishing at the door you leave by.

The stairs, step by step

  • Handrail wiped along its full length, including the brackets
  • Balustrade dusted and wiped — spindles, or glass panels on both sides where they can be reached safely
  • Skirting along both sides of the stairs
  • Each step vacuumed into the back corners and along the edges
  • Hard stairs mopped, or wiped by hand where a mop will not fit
  • Scuff marks on the front of each step, where they come off without damaging the finish
  • Light switches at the top and bottom
  • Under-stair cupboard emptied and cleaned inside

High windows, voids and light fittings

Consumer Affairs Victoria’s cleanliness guideline, as summarised by Tenants Victoria, treats cleaning at heights as maintenance and the rental provider’s responsibility, and says renters are not expected to clean ceiling fans where access may be dangerous. Do not stand a ladder on the stairs to reach a stairwell window or a pendant light over a void.

If you are unsure whether something counts, ask the agent in writing before you move out. For our part, interior windows, sills and tracks within reach are part of the clean; high windows and anything that needs a ladder above two metres or harness access are not.

Garage, courtyard and balcony

  • Garage. Sweep out leaves and dust and take everything with you. A garage sweep and mop can be added to our clean.
  • Courtyard. Sweep, clear cobwebs and remove rubbish and your pot plants. Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria says simple garden upkeep, such as mowing, light weeding and trimming small plants, is usually the renter’s job, while bigger work such as major pruning or fixing drainage is the rental provider’s — and the garden’s condition when you moved in matters. Our pressure washing for courtyards, patios, paths and garage floors is a separate service, and old oil stains soaked deep into concrete are excluded.
  • Upper balcony. Sweep it and wipe the balustrade where you can reach it safely. Exterior windows within reach can be added for houses; upper-level outside glass is usually out of reach.

Townhouse complexes: access and parking

  • Parking. Visitor spaces are often limited and shared driveways must stay clear, so tell your cleaner what is available. If only metered or paid parking is nearby, the calculator adds $11 plus GST.
  • Gates and remotes. Pass on gate codes, garage remotes and keys privately, never in a group message.
  • Bins. Shared bin areas fill quickly on moving day, and cleaners cannot remove rubbish or belongings.
  • Power and water stay on until the clean is finished.

Getting the price right

In our instant quote, choose “House or townhouse”. The price comes from the number of bedrooms and bathrooms — a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house is $579 + GST, in normal condition. Count every bathroom, and mention a separate powder room or toilet in the notes so we can confirm it. Homes with four or more bedrooms, or six or more bathrooms, are quoted individually.

Carpet steam cleaning is priced per room, so mention carpeted stairs in the notes as well and we confirm how they are counted. How much end of lease cleaning costs explains the other factors, and our end of lease cleaning page lists everything included. For the rooms themselves, use the end of lease cleaning checklist.

Ready for a price?

See exactly what our end of lease cleaning includes, or go straight to the next step.

Get an instant quote What our end of lease cleaning includes →

Or call 0466 699 276 · WhatsApp us

Sources

Rules change. Check the official source for your situation; this guide is general information, not legal advice.