How To Get Your Full Bond at the End of a Tenancy

When the time comes to move out of a rental property, there feels like an ever-growing list of things to sort. One of the most important on that list is the return of the bond you handed over when you signed the initial contract. 

The amount differs depending on the state you reside in, but here in Melbourne, it’s generally around four weeks’ rent. The only exception is when the weekly rent is higher than $900, in this case there is no maximum. 

To help get your full bond returned, it’s important to understand what is expected of you as the tenant. This can make the moving out process much smoother. What a landlord may view as preventable damage, a tenant might see as the inevitable signs of living life. 

Below we’ve listed six practical steps for helping you get your full bond back. 

1. Understand the Difference Between Normal Wear and Tear and the Damage You Will Be Liable For

Below we’ve broken down the difference between normal wear and tear and what is considered damage. 

Wear and Tear	Damages
Minor scuffs and marks: Minor scuffs and marks on walls and floors from everyday movement	Holes in the walls: Holes in the walls by accidents or hanging/fixing items
Carpet wear: Light carpet wear from normal daily traffic	Torn/burnt or stained carpets: From hot irons, spilt liquids, cigarettes, etc
Sunlight fading: Carpets, paint and materials fade due to daily exposure to sunlight	Broken Windows: Cracked or broken windows from accidents or misuse
Loose Fixtures: Slightly loosened fixtures due to normal daily use	Missing fixtures: Doorknobs, lightswitches, light fixtures, and cupboard handles were removed and not replaced
Worn-out kitchen tops: Slight fading and scratches to kitchen tops due to daily meals being prepared	Unapproved wall paints and wallpapers: Changing the wall finishes without permission
Furniture impressions: Slight indentations in carpets from where furniture was placed	Excessive dirt that’s not easy to clean: Large built-up dirt that’s difficult to clean due to not regularly cleaning
Calking wear: Gradual deterioration of caulking in kitchen and bathroom due to daily steam and moisture exposure	Water damage from misuse: Overfilling of sinks, bathtubs or showers

2. Determine Which Damages Need to Be Addressed 

Take a moment to consider what you can do to fix the damages, whether hiring a handyman, buying new fixtures from the hardware store. This will ensure you get as much of your bond back as possible once you move out. 

3. Notify Your Landlord About Your Plans to Move and Confirm Expectations of the Property’s Condition

It is essential to contact the landlord or rental agent as early as possible to inform them about your moving plans. This will allow them enough time to find a replacement tenant, and you can discuss the expectations for the property’s condition. 

4. Repair Agreed-Upon Damage

Gather quotes for any damages that need professional help to complete, as this can be deducted from your bond. Use this time to negotiate the best possible solution for both parties. Ensure that this whole process is communicated via email should you need to refer back to something at a later stage. 

5. Hire a Professional Moving Company

Hiring professional removalists for the day of your move has many benefits. 

● They minimise property damage through expert handling, reducing the chances of accidental damage to walls, floors, door frames, and staircases. 

● They are trained to use specialised equipment, such as straps, padding, and dollies, to navigate heavy and bulky items through tight spaces without denting walls or scratching floors. 

● They also follow the proper protocols to ensure a cleaner move by reducing the amount of dirt and debris tracked into the home. 

Hiring a moving company for the day of your move improves your chances of getting your full bond back and ensures a less stressful experience for yourself, as they are well-equipped to handle everything on a moving day. Finding the right moving company should be a breeze, and this company does it right. Use Upmove to get multiple quotes for local and verified removalists. 

6. Hire a Professional Cleaning Company

Hiring expert cleaners to perform an end-of-lease clean has many benefits. 

● Professional cleaners offer a level of thoroughness and expertise that goes beyond what most individuals can achieve on their own. They pay attention to the finer details that are often overlooked during normal cleaning routines. With a whole team of manpower, they are able to achieve in 30 minutes what you would take to achieve in 4-6 hours. Their services typically include end of lease cleaning, strata cleaning, domestic cleaning, commercial cleaning, window cleaning, and more.

● They are also thoroughly trained, so they have extremely high standards and meticulously follow checklists as they move from room to room.

● Being trained exceptionally well, they are very careful to use the right cleaning techniques and products for various surfaces to ensure no damage is done in the process. 

● They use high grade cleaning equipment and supplies ensuring they can easily clean built-up dirt and grime. This is very beneficial as a house that’s been lived in for a while tends to have spots like these, and having everything cleaned will assure the landlord that they can have new tenants in by the following day, which means they will be more likely to return your bond. 

● They also provide receipts and documentation of the services provided. Demonstrating that you’ve invested in professional services can testify to your commitment to maintaining the property’s condition and greatly influence your landlord’s decisions regarding your bond.