In a perfect world, we\u2019d all never have to move house.<\/strong><\/p>\n The time, the stress and the financial imposition involved in moving all your possessions from one location to another combine to make it one of those experiences most of us would rather avoid at all costs.<\/p>\n And then, as renters, there\u2019s the challenge of delivering the vacated house back in tip-top condition, in order to receive your full bond back.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what you need to do to get your bond back every time, in full.<\/p>\n Leave the property in the same condition as when you moved in. Picture: Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The aim of the game when trying to get your full bond back is to leave the property in the same condition as when you moved in.<\/p>\n Beller Real Estate<\/a> senior property manager Candice Deane says it\u2019s helpful to compare the property\u2019s current condition to photos from when you moved in.<\/p>\n And she advises tenants to obtain a checklist from their property manager, which will guide them through what they need to do when they vacate.<\/p>\n \u201cFor them to get their full bond back, if they tick off every single thing on the checklist, in terms of cleaning, things will be ok,\u201d Deane says.<\/p>\n \u201cThings that will prevent them from getting their full bond back is if they leave a property dirtier than when they moved in, if the condition report doesn\u2019t match up and if there\u2019s any damage to the property that we don\u2019t consider to be wear and tear, like holes etc.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s helpful to compare the property\u2019s current condition to photos from when you moved in. Picture: Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Your interpretation of \u201cgood condition\u201d and an agent\u2019s interpretation could be very different.<\/p>\n So it makes a lot of sense to have the property manager inspect the home before you vacate, to advise you on areas you\u2019ll need to address in order to receive your full bond amount back.<\/p>\n \u201cAt that time we\u2019ll have a look through the property to see what condition the tenants have got it in and things we need to prepare ourselves for when the tenant vacates. We can then raise any concerns with the tenant about the condition of the property,\u201d Deane says.<\/p>\n Yes, hiring a cleaner will cost you a bit of money, but it\u2019s money that you\u2019ll likely have to spend anyway if the property manager takes issue with parts of the property you\u2019ve cleaned yourself.<\/p>\n A professional cleaner will steam clean the carpets, for one, which is mandatory for most rentals.<\/p>\n You can hire your own cleaner, or use one the agent recommends, which often streamlines the process as the cleaner knows the standard the agent expects and requires.<\/p>\n Deane says you can also cut the cost of the cleaner significantly by first giving the property a quick clean yourself.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the tenants move their things out and do a quick once over, when our cleaner goes in it can be up to $200, just to go over the top and steam clean the carpets,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cBut if we have a tenant vacate and they leave it in a really disgusting state, cleaning can cost up to around $600. And that\u2019s just for a two-bedroom apartment, doing walls, power points, floors, windows, blinds, full kitchen, full bathroom. Just to clean the stove, if we had our professional cleaner do it, they charge $80.\u201d<\/p>\n You can hire your own cleaner, or use one the agent recommends. Picture: Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Accidentally put a hole in a wall or break a towel rail? Tell the property manager about it at the time, rather than waiting for the end of the lease.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll still have to pay to fix it if it\u2019s damage that\u2019s more than just wear and tear, but sorting out the issue then and there means you won\u2019t be kept waiting to receive your bond back at the end of your lease while the property manager hires tradesmen to repair the damage.<\/p>\n \u201cAlways be upfront if you damage something throughout the lease,\u201d Deane advises.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the routine inspections, if it\u2019s raised, talk about it then and fix it then, don\u2019t wait until you move out because then it will delay your bond, and obviously you want to get your bond back as quickly as possible. If you damage something, contact us and we\u2019ll refer you onto a tradie so you can get it fixed. At the end of the lease if everything\u2019s perfect you\u2019ll get your bond back.\u201d<\/p>\n Movable gardens for renters<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\n <\/p><\/div>\n Realestate au <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"How to get the bond back: the checklist<\/h2>\n
![\"rental](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/14010434\/rental-bond-back_2000x1500.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n![\"property](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/14010713\/property-inspection_2000x1500.jpg?resize=2000%2C1499&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nHave a pre-vacate inspection<\/h2>\n
Hire a professional cleaner<\/h2>\n
![\"house](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/14010428\/house-cleaner_2000x1500.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nReport issues as they arise<\/h2>\n