Not Legal Advice
The information on this page is general in nature and is not legal advice. Tenancy laws vary by state and individual circumstances differ. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.
The last few weeks of a tenancy can be stressful, but working through a clear checklist reduces the risk of bond deductions and disputes. The key is preparation — giving yourself enough time before the handover date to address cleaning, documentation, and administration.
Most tenancy agreements require the property to be returned in the same general state of cleanliness as at the start of the tenancy — accounting for fair wear and tear. This does not necessarily mean spotless, but it does mean thoroughly clean.
Pay particular attention to:
• Oven and stovetop interior • Range hood filters (degrease or replace) • Bathroom grout and silicone seals • Window tracks and sliding door runners • Light fittings and ceiling fans • Walls — wipe down scuffs and marks • Inside cupboards, drawers, and wardrobes
If professional cleaning is required by your lease (many leases include a carpet steam-cleaning clause), book it early and keep the receipt.
Get out your ingoing condition report and go through the property room by room, comparing the current state to the state recorded at move-in. Any items that are now in worse condition — beyond fair wear and tear — are the ones a landlord could claim for.
Address anything fixable before the final inspection: fill small nail holes, touch up paint where needed (match the existing colour), replace light globes, and clean any areas you may have missed.
Take a complete photo record of the property on your last day — ideally the same day as the final inspection or just before. Use the same angles as your move-in photos where possible.
This departure photo set is your primary defence if the landlord later claims damage that was not present when you left. Upload everything to cloud storage immediately with a timestamp.
On your last day, photograph meter readings for electricity, gas, and water. Contact your utility providers to finalise your account and arrange a final bill to your new address.
Set up a mail redirect with Australia Post if you have not already done so — redirections can take a few days to activate, so do this at least a week before moving out.
Return all keys, access cards, garage remotes, and any other access devices on or before the agreed handover date. Do not simply drop keys in a letterbox without getting written confirmation — email the agent to confirm the date and time of key return, and ask them to confirm receipt in writing.
If a final inspection is conducted, ask for a copy of the outgoing condition report on the day. You have the right to be present at the inspection.
Once you have handed back the keys, you can apply to your state bond authority for the release of your bond. In most states, both you and the landlord must agree to the release amount. If the landlord does not respond within a set period or disputes the amount, you can apply to the tribunal for an order.
Most bond authorities process releases within 2 to 5 business days once both parties have agreed.
Remember: this is not legal advice
The information on this page is general in nature and is not legal advice. Tenancy laws vary by state and individual circumstances differ. For advice specific to your situation, contact your state tenancy authority or a community legal centre.