Moving out is stressful enough without watching part of your bond disappear over a smudged oven door or a garden left a little too wild. Your bond is your money — it is held in trust, not owned by your landlord, and you are entitled to have it returned in full unless there is a genuine reason to deduct from it. The good news is that getting it back is largely within your control.
This step-by-step guide walks you through what to do in the weeks before you hand back the keys, so you finish the tenancy with your full bond and a clean break.
Step 1: Re-read your lease and give proper notice
Before you do anything else, check two things in your tenancy agreement: how much notice you are required to give, and the exact date your lease ends. Ending a fixed-term lease early is different from finishing at the end of the term, and giving the wrong amount of notice can leave you liable for extra rent.
Put your notice to vacate in writing and keep a copy. Notice periods and the correct forms are set by your state or territory — check with NSW Fair Trading, Consumer Affairs Victoria, the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) in Queensland, or the equivalent body where you live. Getting the paperwork right from the start protects your bond at the end.
Step 2: Dig out your entry condition report
Your entry condition report — the document you completed when you moved in — is the single most important piece of evidence you have. It records the state of the property at the start of the tenancy, including any pre-existing marks, wear or damage.
You are only responsible for returning the property in the same condition it was in when you moved in, allowing for fair wear and tear. That worn carpet in the hallway or the chip in the bench that was already there when you arrived is not yours to fix — provided it is noted on your entry report. If you photographed the property on move-in day, gather those images now too.
Know the difference: Fair wear and tear (faded paint, lightly worn carpet, minor scuffs from normal living) is not deductible from your bond. Damage (holes in walls, stains, broken fittings, burns) is. Landlords cannot use your bond to upgrade or renew the property — only to restore it.
Step 3: Clean to a "reasonably clean" standard
The standard is not "better than when you arrived" — it is reasonably clean, matching the condition at the start of your tenancy. Work methodically through the property and pay attention to the areas that commonly cost renters their bond:
- Oven, stovetop and rangehood — grease build-up is the number one deduction trigger.
- Bathrooms — remove soap scum, mould and limescale from tiles, glass and grout.
- Walls and skirting boards — wipe marks and remove any adhesive hooks or blu-tack residue.
- Carpets — vacuum thoroughly; steam clean if your lease reasonably requires it or if there are stains.
- Windows, tracks, exhaust fans and light fittings — often overlooked and easy points to lose.
- Gardens and outdoor areas — mow, weed and remove any rubbish or belongings.
A lease can require the property to be returned reasonably clean, but it cannot force you to pay for professional cleaning unless the property genuinely needs it to reach that standard.
Step 4: Photograph everything on your way out
Once the property is empty and clean, document it. Take clear, well-lit, date-stamped photos or video of every room, cupboard, appliance and outdoor area — especially the spots that attract disputes, like the oven interior, carpets, walls and the garden. This is your proof that you left the place in good order, and it is invaluable if a claim is later made against your bond.
Step 5: Attend the final inspection and complete the exit report
Where possible, be present for the final inspection so you can discuss any concerns face to face and address small issues on the spot. Complete the exit condition report carefully, comparing it against your entry report. If you disagree with a comment the agent makes, note your disagreement in writing rather than signing off on something you dispute.
Finally, return all keys, remotes and access devices, and provide a forwarding address and bank details for the bond refund.
Step 6: Claim your bond back — and dispute unfair deductions
In most states the bond is lodged with a government authority, and both you and the landlord must agree on how it is released. If you agree it should be refunded in full, the process is usually quick.
If your landlord or agent claims part of the bond and you believe the deduction is unfair, you do not have to accept it. Ask for an itemised list and evidence for each claim, then compare it against your entry report and your move-out photos. If you cannot reach agreement, you can apply to the relevant tribunal — NCAT in NSW, VCAT in Victoria, QCAT in Queensland, or the equivalent in your state — to have the dispute decided. The party claiming against the bond generally has to justify the deduction, which is exactly why your evidence matters so much.
Getting your full bond back comes down to three habits: know your obligations, meet the "reasonably clean" standard, and document everything. Do those three things and you put yourself in a strong position to walk away with every dollar you are owed — and the confidence to challenge any deduction that is not fair.
Thinking about your next place? Before you sign a new lease, search your prospective address on RentIntel to see reviews and insights from other renters — so you know exactly what you are moving into. Check your address at rentintel.net today.