Posted: 26 Mar 2026
When selling property, our team is often asked whether a full bond clean is required before settlement. Under the standard contract used in Queensland, published by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, a seller is not automatically required to provide a bond clean unless this has been specifically written into the contract. The contract requires the property to be handed over in substantially the same condition as at the contract date, allowing for fair wear and tear, which is the legal test applied at settlement.
For many Sunshine Coast Hinterland properties, this is an important point. Homes on acreage, lifestyle properties, and older dwellings may not present the same as a freshly detailed suburban home, and the contract does not require them to. A property does not need to be spotless to comply with the contract. A problem generally only arises if the condition is clearly worse than when the buyer signed the contract, or if goods, rubbish, or furniture have been left behind without agreement.
As an agency working with local sellers, we recommend checking the contract carefully for any special conditions about cleaning or rubbish removal. Industry guidance from the REIQ, along with information published by realestate.com.au and Domain, confirms that higher cleaning standards only apply if they are written into the contract. Verbal expectations or assumptions about a “bond clean” are not legally enforceable.
Our advice to Sunshine Coast Hinterland sellers is simple: leave the property in a reasonable condition, remove your belongings, and seek advice if you are unsure about your obligations. Clear expectations early in the process help avoid disputes at pre-settlement inspection and keep your settlement on track.