Disputes about bond are a hot topic for Property Managers and Tenants so we thought that we would provide you with some best practice tips & ideas that may assist you with getting your bond back next time you’re ready to vacate your rental property.
MOVING OUT:. Firstly, check your tenancy agreement. Read it to make sure you are following any conditions, that you have given the appropriate amount of notice (usually 14 days in writing) and that the lease is coming to or has already ended.
CAREFUL WHEN MOVING: Make sure you are careful to pay attention when moving out that you don’t damage the property on your way out e.g. bump walls, rip carpets, linoleum flooring or chip tiles.
CHECK INVENTORY (if Applicable): If you are renting furnished premises, check the owner’s furniture on the Inventory to make sure everything is intact. Replace any breakages with the same type item, and anything lost must be replaced or you will get charged for it.
GARDENS (if Applicable): Leave the gardens and lawns in neat, mown and weeded condition. Have the lawns and edges done no more than 3 or 4 days before you move out, as well as weeds removed from gardens and lawns.
GLASS and FLYSCREENS: Any broken windows should be replaced, and in particular, check the shower screens for cracks, and replace if necessary, have repaired any tears in fly screen mesh. Insect screens, windows, sills, tracks, and glass should be left clean.
GARAGE and GARBAGE: Remove oil and grease marks on the floor of the garage or carport. The garage should be swept and rubbish removed. Your wheelie bins should be left empty & clean. Plan ahead to ensure that all rubbish of any kind is removed from the property and emptied from the bins before you leave.
GENERAL: The premises should be cleaned throughout, paying particular attention to the following:-
- Stove & Oven
- Pantries, Cupboards & Shelves
- Bathrooms & Toilets
- Carpets – Professionally Steam Cleaned & Receipt Provided
- Walls & Doors
- Windows, Screens & Tracks
- Blinds & Curtains
- External areas – Including Patios, Porches, Balconies, Entertainment areas, Driveways etc
- Pest Control – If you have had a pet at the premises you must have an internal and external pest control for fleas and provide a receipt.
- Fan, Lights & Switches
(Please note that this is a non-exhaustive list and will differ Property to Property, Manager to Manager; please see your Property Manager for further information)
NOTE: Any repairs or cleaning required must be carried out by licensed & insured contractors and it is recommended that you use the Property Managers preferred tradespeople as they know their work.
TIP: Remember when vacating, the Property Manager does not hold your bond, the Residential Tenancies Authority does. The Property Manager is required to authorise its return within 14 days if there is no dispute.
It is best to leave your current contact details, including email, forwarding address and payment details with your Property Manager, so they can arrange your bond refund without delay. As soon as the Property is left in acceptable condition (as per the entry condition report) and all water and rent is paid up to date, your agent should then authorise the release of the bond.
FINAL INSPECTION OF THE PROPERTY: See if your Property Manager is open to you attending the vacating inspection and if you can book in the inspection ahead of time. Best practice is to speak to your Property Manager about booking in an appointment for the vacating inspection at least 2 weeks prior so the Property Manager has sufficient notice and can fit into the schedule at a time that suits both parties.
Inspections generally will not be done until the keys are formally handed to the office.
Take some cleaning equipment with you to the inspection in case there are some minor things that the Property Manager is not satisfied with that you can fix on the spot quickly.
Make sure that the Property is ready for the inspection by your vacate date as per your entry condition report. Rough enough won’t be good enough so be thorough and ensure nothing has been missed, as you may not get an opportunity to go back and fix it.
PROFESSIONAL CLEANERS: If your in a position to do so the easy alternative is to get professional cleaners in to do the whole job after you’ve moved out. That way, you can save your energies for the move into the new home and forget about the hassles of cleaning up the one you’re leaving. Your agent will have recommended cleaners that can provide you with a quote in advance so that you can plan and budget for this in your moving costs.
Be careful with cheap companies or companies that are not reputable, we have known tenants to be out of pocket by having their chosen cleaners not do a good job. It is recommended using your agent’s preferred cleaners and carpet cleaners, they know what to do and also your agent knows what their quality of work is like.
KEYS: Rent is payable until the end of your lease or until all the keys including those you have had cut, are handed in (whichever is the later).
Consider having the property ready, a day or 2 before the lease handover date so you have a couple of days up your sleeve to fix anything you see might be an issue up before the handover. Ask your Property Manager if they would consider doing a pre-vacate inspection.
EXIT CONDITION REPORT: Complete and hand in your Exit Condition Report to your Property Manager with the keys on handover day. This often gets overlooked by tenants and is such a critical document.
We hope that this information helps you with your next vacate and we wish you well with your next move.
If you have any question please ph: 1800 373 262 or complete the form below: