As you’re gearing up to move out of your current rental home, one of the main things on your mind will be your deposit – and how to get your bond back.
Aside from being a good tenant overall, getting your bond back largely depends on the home’s cleanliness and the property inspection report.
So in a bid to make it a little bit simpler, here’s everything you need to know about end-of-tenancy cleaning and the report to make getting your bond back a breeze.
The Breakdown
If you don’t have much time on your hands, here’s a concise checklist on how to get your bond back.
Before Moving
- Give your landlord written notice of at least 28 days (time varies depending on the type of tenancy).
- Arrange a time for the property inspection with your landlord
- Pay any outstanding rent and bills. Also, ensure that you have transferred personal services to your new home address.
Moving Day
- Move all of your belongings out of the home.
- Dispose of all rubbish.
- Complete a thorough move-out cleaning.
- Return your keys to your landlord.
Get Your Bond Back
- Complete the property inspection report with your landlord.
- Take a copy of the bond refund form to the inspection (in case your landlord forgets to bring it).
- Ensure that you and your landlord sign the property inspection report and the bond refund form. (Do not sign blank documents.)
- You or your landlord should send the bond refund form to Tenancy Services.
If you’d like to get into detail about the steps to getting your bond back, read on!
1. End-Of-Tenancy Cleaning
Also known as move-out cleaning – this is when you deep clean the home you’ve been renting before you leave it for good.
This means that you need to leave it exactly the way you got the home when you moved in, and you can do it yourself, your landlord can handle it, or whoever else specified in your tenancy agreement.
Why It’s Important
Off the bat – the last thing you want to do is move into your new home and find it dirty and unkempt – you’d expect that your new landlord or at least the previous tenant would leave it in a liveable condition. That way, you can start unpacking as soon as you reach your new home.
Another couple of reasons why a move-out cleaning is beneficial is because:
- When you’re doing a final walkthrough with an empty, clean house, you can spot a few belongings you may have forgotten to pack.
- Leave a good impression on your landlord – ensuring that they give you excellent references in any tenancy applications for the future and help you get your bond back in full.
- It helps your landlord out too! With a clean home, they can move new tenants in right away!
What Does An End-Of-Tenancy Cleaning Include?
In New Zealand, the Residential Tenancies Act protects tenants and landlords. The agreement you sign at the start of your tenancy falls under this act. It is within this agreement that details on what leaving the home ‘clean’ means and what your responsibilities are.
If this isn’t explicitly stated in your tenancy agreement, or if you have a few doubts about it, you can clarify it with your landlord.
Alternatively, here’s the checklist we use as professional cleaners to complete a thorough move-out cleaning for our clients.
NexDo’s Move-Out Cleaning Checklist:
- Clean all key surface areas, thorough vacuuming and mopping of floors.
- Clean windows and doors – including skirting boards.
- Dust and clean ceilings and ceiling lights and remove all cobwebs.
- Dust and clean residual appliances (light fixtures, light switches, and power points).
- Empty and sanitise rubbish bins.
- Dust and clean blinds and ceiling fans.
- Clean cupboards, wardrobes, and cabinets (in and out).
- Dismantle (if needed) and clean stovetop burners and hobs.
- Externally clean rangehood.
- Clean backsplash and countertops.
- Clean dishwasher (in and out).
- Wipe, polish and sanitise all sinks and taps.
- Clean all benches.
- Clean bathroom and laundry room tiles and remove mould (within reason).
- Clean vanities (in and out).
- Clean shower, shower screens, bathtubs and drains.
- Clean and polish mirrors.
- Clean and sanitise toilets.
DIY Or Hire A Professional Service?
Taking on the deep cleaning of a home (no matter its size) is a huge task, especially considering all the other things you must do before moving out of your home.
You can hire a professional cleaning service to complete a move-out cleaning to make things easier.
When looking for a professional cleaning service, check:
- The reviews of the cleaning company.
- The services included in their checklist.
- The cost of extra services (like carpet cleaning, appliance cleaning etc.)
Depending on the size of a home, its location, and its condition, the average range starts from $180 – $ 300.
2. The Property Inspection Report
Ideally, this report should be done when both your landlord and you are present. During this inspection, your landlord will look through their property, record any damages, and check out the condition of fittings, appliances and furniture.
Areas To Check
Your landlord will check to see if:
- All rooms are clean and dust and stain free.
- Cabinets and drawers are clean and empty.
- The walls, ceilings, and floors are clean.
- There is mould and dampness on walls and ceilings (water damage, mould on the walls, ceilings, peeling paint, cracks, or stains).
- Floors and carpets are odour, dirt and stain free.
- Mirrors, furniture, and household appliances are in good condition.
- Doors, locks, windows, curtains, water fixtures, and electricals are in good working condition.
- The yard is in good, healthy condition.
Tip:
- Ensure that your landlord completes an inspection report at the start of your tenancy (with pictures included). This is a great reference point for the areas you have to clean and the state of the fittings when you first moved in.
- Here, you can download a blank property inspection report (from the New Zealand Tenancy Services website).
And there you have it! A complete guide on how to get your bond back in full! Happy moving!
