Why the Exit Clean Matters for Offices
Office moves often come with tight deadlines, high stakes, and plenty of to-do lists. Amid packing, IT transitions and handovers, cleaning is sometimes overlooked. But neglecting a proper end-of-lease clean can cost your business more than just time.
Cleaning at the end of a lease is a legal or contractual requirement. Failing to meet these obligations can result in withheld bonds, additional charges, or delayed handovers.
Let’s explore what end-of-lease cleaning really involves for office spaces and why it pays to plan ahead.
What End-of-Lease Cleaning Includes for Offices
Not all areas need the same level of attention, but some cannot be missed.
A professional exit clean targets the high-use, high-visibility and high-risk areas of your office, ensuring the space is left in a condition that meets lease requirements and inspection standards. This typically includes:
- Deep cleaning of workstations, common areas and boardrooms
- Carpet steam cleaning and hard floor treatments
- Sanitising kitchens, bathrooms and breakout areas
- Window, glass and surface cleaning (internal)
- Dusting vents, lights, skirting boards and trims
- Waste removal and consumable disposal
Some sites also include:
- External pressure washing for entrance areas
- Cleaning of external signage and access points
- High-rise window access cleans
- Full internal office cleaning packages
Explore our full End-of-Lease Cleaning Service to learn more.
Deadlines and Planning Ahead
To avoid last-minute stress or non-compliance, it’s best to schedule your exit clean at least 3–6 weeks before the lease expiry date. This gives you time to coordinate access, manage any building-specific requirements, and ensure everything is completed before the final inspection.
Even experienced office managers can miss key areas or underestimate the time required. Here are some common oversights:
- Leaving cleaning to the last 48 hours of the lease, resulting in rushed work or missed areas
- Using general cleaning providers unfamiliar with commercial lease compliance
- Forgetting external areas, storage rooms or bin zones, which are often included in final inspections
- Missing behind fixtures, inside appliances or air vents, which can lead to failed handovers or repeat cleans
A rushed or incomplete clean can result in rework, extra fees, or reputational damage with landlords. In some cases, businesses end up paying extra days’ rent because final cleaning wasn’t completed in time.
A Timely Exit Clean Done Right by Comclean
At a recent office exit in Brisbane’s inner suburbs, a financial firm had three days between vacating their premises and handing back the keys. The client contacted Comclean with only a week notice.
Our team quickly arranged a site assessment, developed a cleaning plan and delivered a full internal clean, including carpet steam cleaning, pressure washing the entry path, and deep cleaning of kitchenettes and meeting areas. The clean was completed outside of business hours to minimise disruption to remaining staff.
The result was a smooth handover with no delays or cleaning disputes with the landlord.
Why Office Managers Choose Comclean
Comclean has over two decades of experience delivering commercial exit cleans that meet both operational and contractual standards. We understand the flow of office moves and work closely with facility teams to make the process smooth and reliable.
Clients rely on us for:
- Flexible scheduling, including after-hours and weekends
- ISO-certified processes and detailed cleaning checklists
- Clear communication before, during and after service
- Surface-appropriate products and GECA-certified solutions
- Specialist services including carpet cleaning, high-rise windows, pressure washing and internal office cleaning
“We have worked with office buildings for over 20 years, and you can always tell when a place is properly looked after. So can the people who walk through the doors. A well-maintained exit sets the tone for what comes next.”
— Jurgen Herrmann, Director, Comclean Australia
Book Your Exit Clean Before the Move Starts
Whether you are relocating, consolidating or handing back a tenancy, planning your end-of-lease clean early will save time, protect your reputation, and help meet lease obligations without added pressure.
We offer free site assessments and tailored programs based on your lease terms and timeline. Book today to ensure your exit is handled cleanly, compliantly and professionally.
Do you have an upcoming office move? Ask us about the most suitable cleaning schedule for your tenancy. And if you are looking for visuals of recent exit cleans, we can share imagery from past projects on request.