Question is: how? Here are some simple things to keep in mind to make reclaiming your bond a cinch.
Always provide enough notice to your landlord or real estate agent before moving out. This will help them to find new tenants and prepare the property for inspection. Not to mention, it will put you in their good books when the time comes to hand over your keys. Keep in mind that if you break the lease early and haven’t paid the break fee, you might be liable to have it taken out of your bond. For these reasons, always notify your landlord in writing of your impending move within the given timeframe outlined in your contract.
The simplest action to make sure your landlord is satisfied at the final inspection is to keep things clean and well-maintained from the beginning. It's easy when you start a tenancy to put cleaning on the back burner, safe in the knowledge that you'll have time for it later.
Keeping a clean household, whether you're living alone, with family, or in shared accommodation, only becomes more difficult when you neglect it. If things get out of hand, you can bring in professional cleaning help. The costs of household services however - which have risen almost 2 percent in the last year - can add up, leaving you opening your wallet just to try and get money back.
If you’re wondering how to get your bond back, just remember that your rental property will need to be returned in the same conditions as you received it (less wear and tear). For example, if a latch on the door has come loose or a window is broken, don’t wait until you move out so that the landlord has to fix it. Let your landlord know immediately and repair it or pay to get it fixed. It is also a good idea to take time-stamped photos of the property and include pictures of any cracks, broken items, or missing fittings to send to your property manager. Please refer to your condition report if have any queries.
Before you move out, make sure that all your rental payments and invoices are settled. This is the final step in getting your rental bond refund. If you don’t complete all rental payments, you risk ending up on a tenancy database. This can negatively affect your future chances of applying for a rental property.
In most cases, the landlord will be satisfied with the state of the property and the bond will be refunded. If you feel your obligations as a tenant have been met but the landlord disagrees, then there is a system in place for arguing your position. However, as James Bennett from the Tenants Union of Victoria says, "Unfortunately, tenants are often unaware of their rights or are reluctant to enforce the rights they do have for fear of possible reprisal."
In Queensland, the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) handles bond disputes. The tenant will be notified by the RTA of the landlord's claim and have a prescribed amount of time to respond. If you think it's possible your bond claim will be disputed, it pays to read up on the laws on the RTA’s website.
If you need more helpful rental advice, then make sure you contact our expert property management team today.