Student Move In Cleaning Melbourne: New Uni Year Checklist
By Cleaning Near Me team ·
Short answer: student move in cleaning means checking, photographing and cleaning your room or share house before you unpack for the new uni year. Complete the condition report with photos first, report anything dirty or broken in writing, then clean your room and agree with housemates who cleans the kitchen and bathroom. It protects your bond and your health.
Why does student move in cleaning matter?
What you record on move-in day decides what you pay for on move-out day. Agents compare the property at the final inspection with the ingoing condition report, so dirt you don’t note now can look like your dirt later.
Students also move into homes that see a lot of turnover. A share house near campus may have had several renters in a year, and the room you get was often cleaned in a hurry between them. Cupboards, mattress bases, fridge shelves and bathroom grout are where that shows.
Moving into a share house where others already live? You’re joining a home that’s already lived in, so your focus is your own room and a fair start for shared spaces.
What should students do before cleaning anything?
Record first, clean second. If you clean before you document, there’s no evidence of the condition you were handed.
- Read the condition report. In Victoria, the rental provider or agent prepares it before you move in. Check it room by room against what you actually see.
- Take date-stamped photos and videos. Shoot inside the oven, fridge, cupboards, wardrobe, shower, window tracks, carpets and walls.
- Add your comments and return your copy on time. Consumer Affairs Victoria’s condition report guide explains the deadline and what to do if you never got a report.
- Report problems in writing. Email the agent about anything dirty, broken or unsafe, and keep the email.
- Check you’re on the paperwork. If you’re moving into an existing share house, ask to be added to the rental agreement and get a receipt for your bond.
Turn the inspection into a group job if you’re moving in together. Everyone sees the same issues, and the report covers every room.
Is the property supposed to be clean when students move in?
Yes. In Victoria, the rental provider must make sure the property is vacant and reasonably clean on the day you’re due to move in. “Reasonably clean” isn’t spotless, so a little dust is normal, but a greasy oven or mouldy shower isn’t.
International students have the same renting rights as other renters in Victoria, as Consumer Affairs Victoria’s information for international students explains. Asking the agent to fix a problem is normal and expected.
Purpose-built student accommodation, rooming houses and homestays can work differently. Read your agreement and ask the provider what checklist they use at check-in and check-out.
Student move in cleaning checklist: your room and shared spaces
Clean top to bottom in each room, and do floors last. Start with your own room, then split the shared areas with housemates.
| Area | What to clean | Who usually does it |
|---|---|---|
| Your bedroom | Inside the wardrobe and drawers, window sill and tracks, skirting boards, light switch, carpet or floor | You |
| Ensuite (if you have one) | Shower screen, grout, toilet base, exhaust fan, vanity drawers | You |
| Kitchen | Your cupboard and fridge shelf, then benchtops, oven, rangehood filter and sink | Shared |
| Main bathroom | Shower, toilet, mirror, floor waste, exhaust fan | Shared |
| Living areas | Couch underside, floors, blinds, heating vents | Shared |
| Laundry and bins | Laundry tub, lint filter, bins emptied and rinsed | Shared |
For the full room-by-room list, see our move in cleaning checklist.
What do students most often miss?
- Mattress and bed base. Vacuum both, and check seams for stains or signs of pests.
- Your fridge shelf and crisper. Old food spills hide under the drawers.
- Wardrobe tracks and top shelves. Dust and hair build up where no one looks.
- Window tracks. Dead insects and grime collect here over summer.
- Heating vents and split system filters. Dust blows straight into your room when you turn them on.
Spot droppings in the kitchen or bites after your first night? Report it to the agent straight away. Our guide on cockroaches in your rental explains who is usually responsible in Victoria.
When should students book a move in clean?
Book as soon as you know your key collection date. Many leases near Monash Clayton, the University of Melbourne in Parkville, Swinburne in Hawthorn, Deakin in Burwood and RMIT in the CBD start in the weeks before Semester 1, so popular dates go quickly.
The best slot is between getting the keys and your furniture arriving. Even half a day is enough for a room or a studio. If you’re flying in from overseas, line up the clean for the day you collect the keys, so you can sleep in a clean room on your first night.
How much does a student move in clean cost?
Our move in clean starts from $156 for a master room only and from $198 for a studio, excluding GST. Larger share houses are priced by bedrooms, bathrooms and extras such as the oven, fridge or carpet steam cleaning.
We confirm the price before anything is booked, and you inspect before you pay. Housemates can split one booking for the whole house. Our move in cleaning Melbourne service covers cupboards, kitchens, bathrooms, tracks and floors.
Key takeaways
- Photograph everything and complete the condition report before you clean.
- Report dirt, damage or pests to the agent in writing, and keep a copy.
- In Victoria, the rental provider must hand over the property vacant and reasonably clean.
- Clean your own room first, then agree a fair split of shared areas with housemates.
- Book your clean for the gap between collecting the keys and moving in.
FAQs
Should I clean my room if the agent says it’s already clean?
Check it yourself first. If it isn’t reasonably clean, note it on the condition report with photos before you do anything. Then clean to the standard you want to live with, knowing your record is safe.
Can I ask the agent to pay for cleaning before I move in?
If the property clearly wasn’t reasonably clean on move-in day, raise it with the agent in writing and ask them to arrange a clean. Keep your photos and emails. If you can’t agree, Consumer Affairs Victoria explains your options.
Do I need my own cleaning products in a share house?
Usually you’ll need at least the basics for your room: a cloth, a bathroom spray, a degreaser and access to a vacuum. Shared supplies are often bought together, so agree this with housemates in week one.
Can a cleaner come before I arrive in Melbourne?
Only if someone can give the cleaner access, such as the agent or a housemate. Ask them to photograph every room before the clean starts, so your condition report still shows how the property was handed over.
Moving into a new room or share house for uni? Get a free move in cleaning quote and we’ll confirm the price before anything is booked. Calls are in English or Mandarin.
General information only, not legal advice. See Consumer Affairs Victoria for the current rental rules.