A Property Manager’s Guide to Getting Your Bond Back

Want to know how to get your bond back? Read more from Thought Leaders to how you can do the right things to get your bond back in full.

When it’s time to say goodbye to your rental, it’s time to get your bond back.

After all, bonds are made in good faith, and getting it back is easy if you follow the right steps.

Your landlord may be entitled to some or all of the bond payment if aspects aren’t up to standard.

Want to know how to get your bond back in full? Read more from the property management Perth specialists at Thought Leaders Real Estate to find out.

Find the initial condition report before applying for bond refund

When tenants sign a rental lease agreement, a condition report is provided by your property manager.

This gives tenants the opportunity to assess the condition of the property now compared to initial signing. Property managers use the same report too, to determine whether to deduct any funds from the bond.

What can you do as a tenant?

• Go room by room with your report, including gardens and courtyards,
• Look at fixtures and fittings and areas where any mess may have accrued, and
• Give yourself time to clean or request trades and/or services with your property manager.

Essentially, you, the landlord and property manager want to bring the property back to its original condition. If in doubt of anything, ask your property management Perth team for clarification.

Be honest

What counts as property damage and what is considered general ‘wear and tear’ of a property?

Well, it’s in the fine print, and as tenant, you have rights and responsibilities in place and to undertake.

For more of the fine print, look at the bond checklist from TenancyWA.

Accidental property damage happens, so to save headaches and hassles, write a list on what aspects you consider damage.

Honest communication with your property management Perth team will likely lead to a quicker bond return process. 

Bring in professional cleaners

One of the sure-fire ways to get your bond is back hiring professional, end of lease cleaners.

Why?

• Most lease agreements require professional carpet cleaning and pet treatments (if applicable),
• Also, it doesn’t hurt to get a gardener or window cleaner to bring the property back to tip-top shape.

Of course, most of the cleaning work can be done by the tenant and some elbow grease, few hours and good quality cleaning products will freshen up the place and please your property manager.

Remember focus on those often-overlooked areas like ovens, dishwashers, doorframes and curtains.

Properly vacate by the due date

Staying past your vacate date will incur added rental costs, which will likely be taken out of your bond.

• Take all rubbish and furniture that was yours prior originally, and
• Return ALL keys, garage remotes and household items that were there prior to your arrival.

So, be smart and vacate by the agreed upon date – and take what was yours with you and leave what was originally there.

Understand the rental bond refund process

Just like the paperwork to start your lease, there’s paperwork to end it and that includes a form to claim your bond money back. In Western Australia, this is called a Joint Application for Disposal of Security Bond and should be signed and given to your property manager once it’s determined what should or shouldn’t be deducted from your bond.

Good to know:

• Include financial details (which account the bond is going to) and contact details
• Most WA bonds take approximately 7-10 days to be returned if all goes smoothly.

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