Want Your Bond Back? Here’s How

Here’s a checklist to help.

Read your lease carefully as they often include details about the end of a tenancy, such as returning all the keys.

If the property is being managed by an agency, they’ll have a photo of the keys they gave you so make sure you have all of them ready to hand over on the final day of your tenancy or you’ll be charged for having more cut.

The lease will also state what bills are your responsibility to pay so check those are all up to date, including your rent.

Here’s some useful advice:

Use the original condition report you agreed with as your guide.  This report makes a great checklist for going through the property to ensure everything is as it was when you moved in.

Tips for getting organised

It’s going to take longer than you think. Even those small tasks that seem like they will only take a minute rarely do. Pacing the process is doing yourself a great favour come moving day.

Start the cleaning and maintenance as soon as you know you’re moving out.

Check the property for maintenance tasks and complete any that are your responsibility. Minor repairs often need a few days between stages or involve shopping for supplies so give yourself plenty of time for them.

By completing the harder tasks like cleaning the oven and window tracks and scrubbing the bathroom well before the day you move out, you’ll only need to do a light clean of those things on your final day.

If you use a professional cleaner, make sure they specialise in vacate (or end of tenancy) cleaning and will give you a guarantee to go back and fix any cleaning they’ve agreed to do that doesn’t pass the final inspection.

Pack up and clean the room you use the least and use it for storing packed boxes.

Empty cupboards early then wipe out each cupboard as it’s emptied. Dedicate the first empty and clean cupboard for the essentials you’ll need before moving day and pack everything else into boxes.’  

Leave enough time for a thorough end of lease clean after you move your possessions out.

The cleaning that happens when the property is empty needs to be thorough and that takes time so don’t leave it for the last thing on moving day.

What is considered fair wear and tear?

The condition report should contain a detailed description of the property’s condition when you moved in. Apart from “fair wear and tear” the tenant is responsible for handing it back in this same condition when they move out.

Fair wear and tear is damage or deterioration that’s out of your control such as sun damage on curtains or worn carpet in a heavy traffic area and is the owner’s responsibility. The tenant is responsible for damage they’ve caused such as from accidents, pets, putting up pictures or unauthorised repairs.

You can access the NSW Fair Trading/Ending a Tenancy page for more information and examples of fair wear and tear.

How to deal with any damage

Tenants must notify the landlord or property manager of any maintenance issues as they arise. If you’ve missed any that are the owner’s responsibility to fix, get in touch with the landlord or property manager right away to let them know about this issue.

If there is damage that is your responsibility to fix, be up front with the property manager and discuss your options for paying for the cost of the repairs and getting them done before you leave.

Attend the final inspection

Tenants are entitled by law to be given the opportunity to attend the final inspection where the updated condition report is written up. Being there means you can discuss its details with the property manager before it is finalised. 

How to apply for a rental bond return

Most of the time, the property manager will organise for your bond to be returned to you once you’ve signed a bond claim form, they’ve inspected the property and they’ve processed the end of your tenancy.

If you are using Rental Bonds Online and all your details are correct, you should get your bond back in two business days after your claim is accepted by your landlord or agent.

Refunds from Rental Bonds Online are paid by direct deposit into your nominated bank account. 

You don’t need to wait for the landlord to release the bond. If you originally submitted your bond online and you have addressed all the things you need to do after ending the tenancy, you can claim the bond on Rental Bonds Online.

For full details and a step-by-step guide to reclaiming your rental bong, click here to go to NSW Fair Trading’s info page.

Remember, your Property Manager is there for you as much as they are for the landlord.

Source – NSW Fair Trading, industry platforms and advisory services.