Getting your bond back

While the legislation and documents vary from state to state, one thing is consistent: rental bonds can be a big headache for tenants who find themselves in the middle of a bond refund dispute.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Morton & Morton Department Head (Property Management) Joshua Thomas says the key to getting your rental bond back is to think about it at the start of the lease, not at the end.

“Think and ask your agent or property manager about the bond refund process at the start of the lease, so you know exactly what the process is and what you need to do to ensure you get your refund,” Joshua says.

Fair wear and tear

Tenants can lose their rental bond if they cause damage to the premises that is not fair wear and tear. Fair wear and tear generally means minor damage caused to a property by reason of its age and general use. Worn carpet, yellowed/stained walls and disintegrating tile grout can be examples of fair wear and tear.

Condition reports

A great way to cement your position at the start of the lease regarding the condition of the property is to pay particular attention to the inspection/condition report. “In NSW, there are two parts to a standard residential lease – the lease terms and the condition report. Tenants should really take their time going through the property and making sure the condition report relating to the premises is as accurate as possible,” Joshua says.

Joshua adds that a good agent or property manager will also take the time to complete this section to the utmost precision. “Depending on the nature and condition of the property, an agent may, in addition to the report, take over a hundred photographs or even a video to evidence the condition of the property prior to it being leased,” he says.

“Sometimes tenants do this as well, but it’s important that the tenants keep the property manager or agent up to date with all such documentation so everyone is aware of the property’s condition at the start of the lease.”

A great failing of many tenants is to neglect to sign or submit the inspection report on time and on completion. “Once you’ve completed the condition report, it’s essential that you sign and submit it to the agent within the required timeframe – this helps to ensure that you have accurately documented the condition of the property,” he says.

Returning the keys

Joshua says another way tenants can ensure they get their bond back is to return all the keys to the property at the end of the lease. “Rent is still payable until all the keys are returned, so it pays to take a photo of all keys at the start of the lease and return all those keys at the end,” he says.

If you’re keeping your premises neat and clean, subject to the odd wear and tear, you should be guaranteed to get your bond back in the end. But just to be sure, it doesn’t hurt to keep documented records of everything – before and after – in case you end up with a dispute on your hands. For more information, contact the tenancy board or authority in your state.