When you need to move out of your rental property, there are some particular things to do to ensure you leave the property in a satisfactory condition and get your bond back.

Here are our top tips when vacating:

• Review your lease agreement. Carefully read your lease agreement to understand the move-out requirements, notice period, any terms related to the return of your Bond, and any specific instructions or conditions for returning the property.
• Give your Property Manager the proper notice. In Victoria, 28 days’ notice is required. And pay your rent until your vacate date. Failing to give proper notice can result in penalties or deductions from your bond.
• Address any repairs with your Property Manager. This might involve hiring professionals or arranging for repairs with the owner’s approval.
• Make sure the property is clean. The regular areas need to be cleaned, but pay special attention to cleaning the oven, stove, the stove exhaust fan, windows, carpets, air filters in the split system, the garden, doors, cupboards and shelves. A professional cleaner can do a “vacate clean” for a few hundred dollars and it is well worth it.
• Don’t leave any personal belongings or hard rubbish on the nature strip after you vacate. It is your responsibility to remove these items so if any are left behind, it will slow down the process of your bond return.
• You should attend the final inspection with your property manager. This will give you a chance to compare the condition to the initial inspection and address any concerns or discrepancies. Make sure to take photographs or videos during this inspection.
• Return all keys and remotes. Your property manager should have a record of the keys and remotes provided to you when you moved in, so cross reference this when you return all keys and remotes. Failure to return these might result in deductions from your bond.

By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth move-out process, maintain a good rental history, and increase your chances of getting your bond back in full.

If you have any questions about rental properties, the state of the rental market, or anything else, please feel free to give us a call on 5277 2727. You can also connect on our Facebook page too.

Our page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/GeelongPM