Please note that information in this article was based on trends from 2010, and may now be outdated.
Give yourself the best chance of getting your full bond back, and hire a professional cleaner.
I am moving out – do I need to hire a domestic cleaner to get my bond back?
Technically no. You just need to clean the property so that the landlord can’t turn around and say that the property is not in the same state as indicated in the condition report you completed when you moved in.
Fill in the condition report at the start and the end of your tenancy. Make an appointment with the landlord/agent to inspect the premises just after you have moved out. If they will not do this, fill out the condition report yourself and have it witnessed by someone. Take photos to show the cleanliness of the property before you move out.
What do I do if there’s a dispute over the bond?
If the landlord/agent disagrees about the bond refund on account of cleanliness, they must give you details of their claims with receipts, quotes or accounts to rectify the situation. Try to come to an agreement with them and get it in writing. You are entitled to hire your own cleaner, and you may find a very reasonably priced domestic cleaner on ServiceSeeking.com.au, depending on the size of the property and the extent of the mess.
If you cannot come to an agreement about the cleanliness of the property, you can make a claim for your bond by filling in the ‘Claim for Refund of Bond Money’ form with the amount that you believe should be refunded. You do not need the landlord’s signature to complete the form. Return the form to Renting Services.
Renting Services will give the landlord notice that you have made a claim. If the landlord/agent disagrees, they must apply to the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT) within 14 days of receiving the notice and tell Renting Services in writing that they have done this. You can still apply to the CTTT for a refund of all or part of the bond until six years after the end of your tenancy.