Vacating — cleaning, condition, and handover

Why vacating preparation matters

Moving out is the most common trigger for bond disputes. The overwhelming majority of bond deductions relate to cleaning, damage, or condition issues that tenants either did not address or did not document before handing back the keys. Preparation, documentation, and working through every item in the entry condition report will protect your bond and save significant time and stress.

Cleaning checklist

Cleaning is the most common ground for bond deductions. Professional cleaning is strongly recommended — keep the receipt as evidence. The following areas require thorough attention:

• •Kitchen: oven, stovetop, rangehood, sink, benchtops, cupboard interiors and exteriors, dishwasher interior
• •Bathrooms and toilets: tiles, grout, taps, shower screens, toilet bowl and cistern, vanity interiors
• •All floors: vacuum, mop, and/or steam clean as appropriate
• •Windows and window tracks inside and out (where accessible)
• •Walls: spot clean marks and scuffs (where damage, not fair wear and tear)
• •Blinds, curtains, and light fittings
• •Laundry including lint filter and inside washing machine drum
• •Garage and storage areas
• •Air conditioning filters (check lease for specific maintenance requirements)

Carpets, pets, and pest control

Three items that frequently cause disputes and require specific action before vacating:

• •Carpet steam cleaning: if you have carpets, professional steam cleaning is almost always expected even if not explicitly required in the lease. Keep your receipt. This is separate from fair wear and tear — stains, pet urine, and pet damage are not covered.
• •Flea treatment: if you kept a pet (particularly a dog or cat), professional flea treatment is required in most states — even if your pet was well-behaved. Check your lease and state requirements. Keep your receipt.
• •Pest control: some leases require end-of-tenancy pest treatment. Check your lease, particularly if you kept animals on the premises.

Repairs and minor damage

Addressing any damage you have caused before the final inspection will almost always cost less than having the landlord arrange repairs and claiming the cost from your bond.

• •Fill nail holes from picture hanging with appropriate filler — paint to match if required
• •Replace any broken fixtures, fittings, or items that were in working condition at the start of the tenancy
• •Fix or report any screen door or window damage
• •Ensure all light bulbs are working (if required by your lease)
• •Confirm all items noted as pre-existing damage in your entry condition report are still noted correctly

Gardens, outdoor areas, and garage

Outdoor areas are frequently overlooked but can generate significant bond deductions. Return all outdoor areas to the condition documented in the entry report:

• •Mow and edge lawns to the standard they were at entry
• •Weed all garden beds
• •Trim or prune hedges and shrubs if required
• •Remove all rubbish from the yard and outdoor areas
• •Clean the garage floor (sweep and remove oil stains where possible)
• •Clean the BBQ if one was provided
• •Return any outdoor furniture or equipment to where it was at move-in
• •Check gutters — some leases require cleaning at end of tenancy

Fair wear and tear — what you are not responsible for

Fair wear and tear refers to deterioration of the property and its fittings through ordinary, reasonable use over time. You are not required to return the property in 'new' condition. Factors in assessing fair wear and tear include the age of the item, the length of your tenancy, and the quality of the original installation.

Final inspection and key handover

Attend the outgoing inspection if at all possible. This gives you the opportunity to identify and dispute any items noted by the agent on the spot. Bring your copy of the entry condition report.

• •Request the final inspection time in writing — you are entitled to attend
• •Bring your entry condition report and move-in photographs
• •Take your own dated photographs of every room and area during or immediately before handover
• •Do not sign any outgoing condition report that contains inaccuracies — note disagreements in writing on the form
• •Return all keys, garage remotes, mailbox keys, and car park passes — missing keys are a common deduction
• •Obtain a written receipt confirming the keys have been returned and the date of handover

After you vacate — bond claim timeframes

After you vacate, the landlord has a set period to lodge a bond claim. If they do not claim within this time, the bond is generally released to you automatically.