Cleaning a motel

You've found an awesome new apartment and you're keen to move out of your current place. There's just one problem: how do you get your landlord to give your bond back? As a typical Australian rental bond is four weeks of rent, it's a significant outlay that you'll probably be keen to get back in full. Here's how to go about it.

Check the Initial Condition Report

The first step is to check the report that your landlord or property manager gave you when you moved in. This document lists the original condition of every part of your home, including any furniture belonging to the landlord. You'll need to compare the information in this report to the current state of your home to work out what you need to clean or repair. Make a list of everything you need to fix before your move-out date.

Clear and Clean

Clear out as many of your belongings as you can. Throw out anything you don't need and pack up the rest so it is ready to transport to your new place. Now it's time for deep cleaning! Clean away all the everyday dirt and then address any lasting stains. Use a Magic Eraser to remove marks from the walls so you don't need to repaint. Carpet cleaning machines are extremely good at removing stains from carpet, which could save you from the cost of replacing the whole carpet.

Get Professional Help

What if you've tried everything to clean your old apartment and still can't shift the stains? It might be time to bring in professional cleaners to help you out. Depending on your lease agreement, hiring a professional cleaning service might be a condition of getting your rental bond back.

Attend the Final Inspection -- And Bring Your Cleaning Supplies!

Your landlord or property manager will likely want to inspect the property before returning your rental bond. Attend this meeting in person so you can discuss any differences between the condition of the property and the initial condition report. Bring cleaning supplies so you can clean any parts of the property that you originally overlooked.

Return All Keys

Remember to return all keys to your landlord or property manager, including keys for garage doors. If you have lost a key, let the landlord know. You'll need to pay a replacement fee, but this is likely to be lower than the cost of replacing the locks if the landlord believes you have deliberately kept a key.

Get Your Paperwork in Order

To get your rental bond back, you'll need to fill in a Claim for Refund of Bond Money form and give it to the property manager. According to Real Estate View, you'll need to include your contact and financial details so the landlord can return the money.

What if You Don't Agree?

If you and your landlord disagree on the amount of rental bond that should be returned, you may need to use a mediation service or even take the matter to a tribunal. You'll need to provide evidence that backs up your claim, such as photographs of the current and original state of the property.