Moving Out? Your Guide to End-of-Lease Standards and Bond Claims
Moving out of a rental property involves a lot of moving parts. Between packing, organising removalists, updating your address, and doing a thorough end-of-lease clean, preparing for the final inspection and bond claim can quickly become overwhelming.
In Victoria, renters are expected to return the property reasonably clean and in the same condition as at the start of the tenancy, allowing for fair wear and tear. Referencing your original condition report is the best way to understand the exact standard required to secure your full bond claim.
Knowing what this standard means, preparing early and keeping clear records can help make the final inspection and bond claim process much smoother.
1. Start With Your Original Condition Report
Before cleaning or arranging repairs, find the condition report you received when you moved in. This document records the original condition of the property, including existing marks, damage, cleanliness and the condition of fixtures and fittings.
Use it as a room-by-room reference while preparing to move out. Check your original comments and photos so you are not spending time trying to correct issues that were already present at the beginning of the rental agreement.
Consumer Affairs Victoria explains that the condition report may be used as evidence when determining responsibility for cleaning, damage or bond claims. Photos taken at the beginning and end of the agreement can provide additional evidence of the property’s condition.
2. Understand What ‘Reasonably Clean’ Means
Victorian rental laws do not require a renter to return the property in better condition than it was at the beginning of the agreement. The property should be reasonably clean and returned in substantially the same condition, taking fair wear and tear into account.
Fair wear and tear is the gradual deterioration that occurs through normal use or natural environmental conditions. Faded curtains and worn kitchen benchtops may be considered fair wear and tear, while ripped curtains or a broken benchtop may be considered damage.
Rental providers cannot claim bond money for fair wear and tear or for repairs that were their responsibility. However, claims may be made for new damage, unpaid rent, missing items, unauthorised changes or a property that has not been left reasonably clean. Consumer Affairs Victoria provides further guidance on bond claims on their official website.
3. Plan Your End-of-Lease Cleaning
Start cleaning before your final moving day wherever possible. Working through one room at a time is usually more manageable than leaving the entire property until the final few hours.
Pay attention to areas that are easy to overlook, including the inside of cupboards, kitchen appliances, exhaust fans, skirting boards, window tracks, light fittings and outdoor spaces included in the rental agreement. Floors should be vacuumed or mopped, bathrooms should be free from built-up residue and rubbish should be removed from the property.
For ideas on tackling smaller or harder-to-reach areas, Love & Co’s cleaning hacks and decluttering guide may help you organise the process before moving day.
Professional cleaning is not automatically required for every property. For rental agreements signed from 29th March 2021, a rental provider can only require professional cleaning in certain circumstances, such as when the property needs to be returned to the professionally cleaned condition recorded at the start of the agreement or when its current condition reasonably requires professional cleaning. Check your agreement and original condition report before booking a service.
4. Address Maintenance and Damage Early
Cleaning and maintenance are not the same thing. Renters should not attempt to conceal damage or complete unsafe repairs themselves.
If there is a maintenance issue that has not yet been reported, contact your property manager as early as possible. Problems caused by an underlying fault or an issue that was the rental provider’s responsibility may need to be assessed separately from renter-caused damage.
Love & Co renters can submit maintenance details through the online repair request form. Reporting an issue before the final inspection gives the property manager an opportunity to review it and provide appropriate instructions.
Where you are responsible for accidental damage, communicate openly with your property manager. Addressing the matter before the final inspection may provide more time to discuss a reasonable solution.
5. Restore Any Changes You Have Made
If you installed hooks, shelving, temporary fixtures or other modifications, check the written approval and any conditions attached to it.
Unless the rental provider has agreed that restoration is unnecessary, renters may need to remove modifications and return the affected area to its previous condition, allowing for fair wear and tear. This should be done carefully to avoid causing additional damage.
Do not automatically repaint, patch or alter a surface without speaking to the property manager. An unapproved repair that does not match the existing finish could create another issue rather than resolve the original one.
6. Remove Belongings and Return Every Key
Before leaving, complete a final check of all cupboards, storage areas, garages, sheds, and outdoor spaces. Remove all personal belongings, rubbish, and unwanted items. If you have large amounts of waste or heavy items to clear, plan ahead by booking a skip bin or hard waste collection early to avoid last-minute delays.
Collect every key, remote control, access card, and security device provided at the start of your tenancy. Missing items can delay your bond return or result in replacement charges.
Remember, rent generally remains payable until your tenancy ends and all keys are officially handed back. Keeping a written receipt or email confirmation of key return is always good practice.
7. Take Final Photos and Attend the Inspection
Once the property is empty and cleaning is complete, photograph every room and any outdoor areas. Include floors, walls, appliances, cupboards, fixtures and other areas that may be discussed during the final inspection.
In Victoria, the rental provider or property manager must complete the exit section of the original condition report within ten days after the rental agreement ends. The renter must either be present or be given a reasonable opportunity to attend.
Attending the inspection allows you to discuss concerns, compare the property with the original condition report and clarify whether anything requires further attention.
8. Understand the Bond Claim Process
Victorian rental bonds are held by the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority, commonly known as the RTBA.
Once you have moved out and returned the keys, you can make a bond claim through the RTBA. You do not have to wait indefinitely for the rental provider or property manager to begin the process. However, it can be helpful to first discuss the final inspection and whether any deductions are being proposed.
Where everyone agrees on how the bond should be distributed, the claim process is generally faster. When a renter starts the claim, the rental provider and other parties listed on the bond are notified and have 14 days to contest it. Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria provides an in-depth explanation about the bond claim process and expected time frames.
What Happens if There Is a Disagreement?
Clear communication and evidence are key to resolving bond questions. Both parties should review the original condition report, supporting photographs, and any relevant repair quotes or invoices before agreeing on a final deduction.
If a mutual agreement cannot be reached, either party can access Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) for independent support. RDRV provides a free mediation service designed to help renters and rental providers resolve bond and compensation matters efficiently before proceeding to a formal VCAT hearing.
Prepare Early for a Smoother Move
Preparation for vacating a rental property begins weeks before your move-out date. Beyond reviewing lease documents and communicating with your property manager, give yourself time to coordinate key logistics, such as booking moving lifts, securing parking permits, or notifying building management and body corporate. Completing your end-of-lease clean methodically and taking final condition photos will then help ensure a smooth, hassle-free bond claim.
If your rental property is managed by Love & Co and you have questions about your final inspection, returning keys or the bond claim process, contact your property manager or find your local Love & Co office. Our team can explain the next steps and help you understand what is required before you move out.
This article provides general information for Victorian renters and is not a substitute for professional legal advice. Rental laws and processes may change, so refer to Consumer Affairs Victoria, the RTBA, or Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria for guidance relevant to your circumstances.