What Happens to Your Bond If You Leave the Property Uncleaned? – Moving out of your rented house is not just a matter of moving your stuff and handing back the keys. Among the first things that you need to do in this case is to make sure the property is in good shape for the final inspection. What will happen to your bond if you leave the property in an unclean state? There might be some cleaning deductions from your bond, delayed refunding of your bond, or a dispute between you and your landlord/property manager.
According to the laws of Brisbane, Queensland, the tenants are supposed to leave the rental property in the same condition as when the tenancy began, with consideration of the usual wear and tear. Knowing your end-of-lease cleaning requirements will help you save your bond money and avoid any additional expenses.
What Will Happen to Your Bond If You Leave the Property Uncleaned?
The landlord/property manager of your rental property is entitled to deduct the reasonable cleaning cost from your rental bond if you leave the property dirty because of not fulfilling your tenancy obligations. The claimed amount depends on the state of the premises, the evidence at hand, and relevant tenancy laws.
As per Queensland’s Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA), a tenant is supposed to vacate the premises in the same state as when the tenancy agreement started, except for reasonable wear and tear. Dirt, grease, and grime are typically not considered reasonable wear and tear.
For instance, having a greasy kitchen oven, soap-scummed bathroom, or carpets with excessive dirt compared to their original state can result in bond claims against you.
Nevertheless, leaving the premises in an untidy state does not imply that you are going to lose the total amount of your bond. The claim needs to be based on real costs or loss incurred and must take into consideration the condition of the property as it was before.
What Impact Does An Unclean Property Have On Your Bond Return?
There are several things that may affect the return of your bond when you move out without conducting the necessary cleaning.
1. Cleaning Costs Are Deducted From Bond Amount
If your property needs extra cleaning because you have failed to keep your commitments, then your landlord will be allowed to seek reimbursement for reasonable cleaning costs from your bond. Evidence will be useful if such a claim is made.
2. Your Bond Claim Will Be Delayed
Disputes regarding the cleaning standards may lead to delays in resolving your bond claims. In case there are differences between you and your property manager regarding the state of the property, it means that there may be a need to resolve this dispute through dispute resolution services provided by the RTA or QCAT, if necessary.
3. There May Be a Need for Arranging Extra Cleaning
Should the final inspection reveal some cleaning problems, you will have to solve them. This will require quick action as well as communication with your property manager.
Which Areas Should You Clean Before Leaving Your Property?
The best way to ensure that you do not miss any crucial areas during the final inspection is an end-of-lease cleaning checklist. Below are the areas that people usually forget to clean:
- Kitchen: Clean the oven, stove, rangehood, splashback, cupboards, sink, and benchtops.
- Bathrooms: Scrub soap scum, clean toilets, wash the shower stall, wipe the mirrors, and clean the tiles.
- Floors and carpets: Vacuum the carpeted floors, mop the hard floors, and deal with visible stains, where necessary.
- Windows and window frames: Dust off the windows and remove any other accumulated dirt or debris.
- Living rooms and bedrooms: Clean the skirting boards, the wardrobe, and dust off cobwebs.
- Other areas: Clean the ceiling fans, accessible light fixtures, and air conditioner filters, where applicable.
- Outdoor areas: Remove any rubbish, clean the balcony, and maintain gardens/lawns as specified in your contract.
Compare the current state of your rental property against the original state of the entry condition report and the photos you took at move-in.
How To Protect Your Bond Upon Exit
Take these practical steps in order to increase the chance that you will receive your total bond back.
- Look over the entry condition report. Note the original condition of each room and which areas need attention.
- Do an end-of-lease clean. Clean systematically, one room at a time, paying particular attention to appliances, bathrooms, floors, and other less obvious surfaces.
- Take photographs after cleaning. It is advisable to keep dated and clear photographs as proof of the state of the property.
- Fill in the exit condition form. Typically, the tenant is the one to fill in the required form for the exit conditions of the property in Queensland.
- Maintain records. This includes keeping receipts and other documents related to cleaning.
- Solve disputes. Where the suggested amount to be deducted seems excessive, ask for reasons why the amount should be deducted. One can always seek help through dispute resolution services provided by RTA.
A professional bond cleaning service can save time, especially where the tenant has a big house or an extremely tight schedule. However, there is no cleaning service that guarantees a refund in all situations, as this will depend on the condition of the property and all tenancy requirements.
Conclusion
Failure to properly prepare and leave the property in good condition will put your bond at stake. However, proper preparations and an effective end-of-lease clean can help to avoid any unnecessary disputes.
Simplify your moving experience with The Bond Cleaning Brisbane, providing professional bond cleaning, exit cleaning, and other cleaning services in Brisbane. Their specialists concentrate on meticulous cleaning that will assist tenants to prepare for the final checkup. Contact The Bond Cleaning Brisbane now and ask for a quote.
FAQs
What will happen to your bond if the property is not cleaned before leaving in Brisbane?
In case you don’t clean the property, the landlord or property manager may recover a reasonable cost of cleaning from your rental bond. Any such claim must be backed up by necessary evidence and be evaluated according to the original state of the property and tenancy regulations.
Can a landlord keep your full bond due to the dirtiness of the property?
It does not mean that your entire bond will be kept in case there is a problem with cleaning. Any such claim should be backed by a reasonable cost of loss and be evaluated accordingly.
Do I need professional bond cleaning to get my bond refunded?
Que No. Queensland renters can perform the cleaning themselves or get a professional cleaning service. What matters most is compliance with the relevant cleaning requirements, rather than the particular person performing the cleaning.
What do I do when there is a dispute regarding the bond clean deduction?
Speak to your property manager regarding the matter and seek further details along with proof. Compare what they say against your condition reports and photographs. When the dispute persists, you can discuss this with the RTA.
When should I book end-of-lease cleaning?
This should be done after you have unpacked all your belongings but before the final inspection of the property. Book it in advance, particularly if it is a busy period, and confirm which cleaning tasks are included.
