Can You Require Tenants to Professionally Clean Carpets?

If you own a rental property in Tasmania, a recent ruling from the Residential Tenancy Commissioner (RTC) may impact how you manage end-of-lease carpet cleaning.

What’s the Change?

It’s long been standard practice for tenancy agreements to require professional carpet cleaning when a tenant moves out. However, the RTC has now clarified that this requirement can no longer be automatically enforced unless specific conditions are met.

What Does the Law Say?

Under the Residential Tenancy Act 1997, tenants are only required to leave the property in the same condition it was in at the start of the tenancy, allowing for reasonable wear and tear. This includes carpets.

When Can You Enforce Professional Carpet Cleaning?

You can only require professional carpet cleaning at the end of a tenancy if all of the following are true:

1. The lease includes a specific clause stating the tenant must have the carpets professionally cleaned.

2. You have proof that carpets were professionally cleaned before the tenant moved in:

   • A signed condition report that states the carpets were professionally cleaned (ideally with photos), and

   • A dated invoice from a professional carpet cleaner.

3. There’s evidence that the carpet is no longer in that condition:

   • Photos in the outgoing condition report showing deterioration or staining, and

   • A report or invoice from a professional cleaner stating the carpet required professional treatment (e.g. for odour or staining).

If you cannot provide all of the above, the tenant may not be required to pay for or carry out professional carpet cleaning at the end of their lease.

Why This Matters to Property Owners

This change means:

• You may not be able to recover the cost of professional carpet cleaning unless your documentation is thorough and specific.

• Simply including a cleaning clause in your lease is no longer enough.

At Joy & Williamson, we are confident that our leasing processes and condition reporting ensure compliance with the latest guidance from the Commissioner’s office. We’ll continue to keep you updated as further advice becomes available.

Need Help or Have Questions?

If you’re unsure how this affects your property, or you’d like us to review your current lease and reporting process, our team is here to help. Reach out today for support and advice.