Moving out: condition reports, the final inspection and your bond

At the start: the condition report

Your lessor must give you two copies of a signed condition report no later than the day after you move in, or one editable electronic copy if you agree (section 29 and standard term 21).

• Check every room and note anything the report misses: marks, damage, stains, mould, things that don’t work.
• Take dated photos and video of each room, including outdoor areas.
• Return one copy within 2 weeks, signed and marked to show what you agree or disagree with. If you sign it without comments, you’re taken to agree with the whole report.

The lessor must keep condition reports for at least 12 months after the tenancy ends.

Before you leave

• Give written notice with your vacating date: 3 weeks for a periodic tenancy or at the end of a fixed term. Leaving a fixed term early? See breaking a lease.
• Pay rent up to your vacating date. You can’t use the bond for your last weeks’ rent.
• Arrange final meter readings for utilities in your name.
• Update your contact and bank details with ACT Rental Bonds.

How clean does the home need to be?

You must leave the home “in substantially the same state of cleanliness” as when you moved in, and in substantially the same condition, fair wear and tear excepted, and remove your belongings (standard term 64).

The ACT Government’s Renting Book says you don’t have to use professional cleaners at the end of a tenancy. The only exception it gives is professional carpet cleaning, where your lease requires it and the lessor shows the carpets were professionally cleaned at the start. A lessor can’t require any payment for you to leave other than rent or bond.

The final inspection

The lessor must inspect the home together with you and complete and sign a condition report with you (section 30A). They can only do it alone if they gave you a reasonable opportunity to be there.

• Go. Agree a time and take the original condition report and your photos.
• Note anything you disagree with on the report, and photograph it.
• Return all keys at the inspection.
• Keep a copy of the final report.

If the lessor says you caused damage and you agree, the Renting Book says you should be given a reasonable chance to fix it, or you can agree in writing to pay for it.

Fair wear and tear

The Act doesn’t define fair wear and tear. The Renting Book says there’s no fixed definition and that it depends on:

• how the damage happened: normal everyday use, such as sun-faded carpet or wear in high-traffic areas, is fair wear and tear
• how serious it is: a scuff mark is different from a hole in the wall

Legal Aid ACT says ACAT looks at the condition reports, the age of the item and the type of damage.

Your bond

The lessor must give you a signed bond release form within 3 working days after the tenancy ends, or 10 working days if they’re claiming for damage or keys, with reasons and a cost estimate.

Don’t sign if you disagree. You can apply for the bond yourself, or dispute the lessor’s application within 2 weeks of being notified. The undisputed amount is paid out and the rest goes to ACAT. Full details in rental bonds.