Getting Your Bond Back: The Complete Checklist
Moving out of a rental in the Northern Rivers can be stressful, especially when your bond is on the line. Whether you're leaving a beachside flat in Byron Bay, a house in Bangalow, or a unit in Ballina, this checklist will help you cover every base.
The Big Picture
Under NSW tenancy law, you need to return the property in the same condition as when you moved in (minus fair wear and tear). Your condition report from move-in is the benchmark. Dig it out and use it as your reference.
Room-by-Room Cleaning Checklist
Kitchen
- Oven cleaned inside and out (this is the #1 bond deduction item)
- Rangehood filters degreased
- All cupboards wiped inside and out
- Fridge cleaned — remove all food, wipe shelves, clean behind and under
- Dishwasher cleaned — run an empty hot cycle with dishwasher cleaner
- Sink and taps cleaned and descaled
- Benchtops spotless
- Splashback cleaned
Bathroom(s)
- Shower screen descaled (use white vinegar for hard water marks)
- Grout cleaned — mould removed from all tile grout
- Toilet cleaned thoroughly, including behind and around the base
- Exhaust fan dusted
- Mirror cleaned streak-free
- All personal items removed
Bedrooms and Living Areas
- Carpets professionally steam cleaned (keep the receipt — agents often require this)
- Wardrobes cleaned inside, including shelves and rails
- Walls wiped down — remove marks, fill small nail holes with putty
- Light switches and power points wiped
- Ceiling fans dusted
- Window tracks cleaned (a common fail point)
- Blinds or curtains dusted/wiped
Outside
- Lawns mowed and edges trimmed
- Gardens weeded
- Gutters cleared (if accessible and part of your condition report)
- Driveway swept
- Outdoor areas swept and cleaned
- Cobwebs removed from eaves and entry areas
The Rubbish Problem
Here's where many tenants lose part of their bond: leaving rubbish behind. After packing, there's always more waste than expected — broken furniture you're not taking, packing materials, items that didn't make the cut for the new place, and general junk that accumulated over the tenancy.
Agents are ruthless about this. Any items left on the property after your move-out date will be removed at your expense and deducted from your bond — often at inflated rates.
How to Handle End-of-Lease Rubbish
- Start early: begin decluttering two weeks before your move-out date
- Separate sellable items: list good furniture on Facebook Marketplace early
- Book a rubbish removal: schedule it for the day before your final clean
- Don't leave it for the last day: you'll be exhausted and time-poor on moving day
Vanish Rubbish Removal for End-of-Lease Cleanouts
We work with tenants across the Northern Rivers every week. Our end-of-lease rubbish removal is fast, thorough, and timed to fit your schedule. We'll remove everything you're not taking with you — furniture, appliances, mattresses, general junk — and leave the property clean and empty for your final inspection.
Pro tip: book us a day or two before your final clean so the cleaners have an empty property to work with. Call 0468 000 922 for a same-day or next-day booking.