3 tips for getting your rental bond back

Rising house prices are placing home ownership out of reach for many Australians. This has led to a boom in the rental market, with almost a third of Aussies now renting. However, renting comes with many challenges, especially for first timers. Paying your bond and ensuring that you get it back at the end of your lease is one of these challenges.

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A bond is paid by you at the start of your tenancy agreement to protect the landlord in case you breach the conditions of your lease. Landlords can keep your bond in the event that you leave the premises without giving adequate notice (and they have to cover your rent), there is damage to the property or there is poor cleanliness. The bond will usually be four weeks’ worth of rent, and is paid to your landlord, who then deposits it with the relevant regulatory body, such as NSW Fair Trading. If everything is in order when your lease ends, your bond should be returned to you.

However, landlords and tenants have a history of not seeing eye to eye. Here we’ve got some tips for avoiding disputes over your bond, and advice as to how to get your bond back at the end of your lease.

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Understand your obligations under the lease agreement

Landlords will usually keep your bond if you have breached the lease agreement. You have an obligation to meet the conditions of the lease and the law to get your bond back. This usually includes removing all your goods from the property, leaving it clean and in the condition that you entered it in (except for expected wear and tear) and returning all keys to the landlord. To avoid disputes over what amounts to “wear and tear”, it is important to take photos of the property before moving in, and to take photos after you have moved out. This will provide proof in the event of a dispute.

Do the final inspection with your landlord

Before you hand back the keys, arrange a time to walk through the vacated property with your landlord to ensure it’s left in a condition that’s in accordance with the lease and the bond can be repaid. Both parties physically seeing the property together will help you avoid any disputes down the line. During this walk through, any minor problems can be immediately addressed and bigger problems can be arranged to be fixed.

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Submit a claim for a refund of your bond money

If you think that your landlord is unfairly keeping your bond money, after the lease has ended, you may submit a claim for it to be returned. The regulatory authority will then give your landlord 14 days to give you your bond or to contest your claim. If you and your landlord cannot settle the dispute, then you will both need to go the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (or your relevant state/territory authority) to have the disagreement resolved.

The bond you pay is ultimately your money and it should be returned to you if you’ve done the right thing during your tenancy. Understanding your rights and obligations as a tenant and complying with these is key to enjoying a peaceful tenancy and relationship with your landlord. Plus, you want to make sure your landlord gives you a good reference if you’re moving on to another rental property!

Bessie Hassan is a money expert at finder.com.au