Whether you’ve spent a year renting an apartment or half a decade leasing a family home, the final weeks of any tenancy could become stressful without an action plan.
The reality is that navigating the end of a lease typically involves more than just packing boxes and returning the garage remote; as a departing tenant, you have rights and obligations to consider too. So, if you’re about to end a tenancy agreement, you might have more than a question or two about the process.
For example, how much notice do you need to give? Do you have to get the place professionally cleaned? What’s considered “fair wear and tear” and what’s typically classified as damage? And when should you let your home insurance company know you’re moving?
Finally, how can you improve your odds of getting all of your bond back, considering that around 42% of renters in Queensland didn’t in the 2024-25 financial year?1
To help make vacating a property you’re renting as stress-free as possible, we’ve put together this moving out of a rental checklist for Australia that outlines some key steps you might take and important things to know.
What should tenants do to prepare to move out?
Preparing to leave your current rental involves a mix of obvious chores – such as packing and booking a removalist2 – and a few more complex steps that might easily slip your mind. Here are some important things to consider doing before you move out.
Check your notice period
To end a tenancy agreement and move out of a rental property, you’ll need to give your landlord a certain amount of notice.3
Your notice period can vary depending on the reasons for ending a tenancy agreement, the type of agreement you have and where you live.4
For example, in New South Wales, tenants have to give 14 days’ notice if they want to move out of a rental property at the end of a fixed-term tenancy agreement,4 but in Victoria renters need to give 28 days’ notice if they want to leave at the end of a lease.5
You can learn more about notice periods depending on your situation and where you live via your state's relative government site:
Review the original condition report
When you first got the keys to your current rental, you should’ve been provided with a condition report to complete.6
Designed to record the general condition of a property before a tenant moves in,6 this condition report is also important when you’re planning on moving out.7
Renters can review it to help identify any damage they might need to fix before finalising their tenancy or to check for fair wear and tear6 – we’ll talk more about that below.
Make an end of lease cleaning checklist
As a tenant, you’re responsible for leaving a rental property reasonably clean and in the same condition it was in at the beginning of your tenancy, other than fair wear and tear.7,8
When cleaning, it can be a good idea to go room by room so you don’t miss anything.9 In addition to the obvious things such as showers, toilets, cooking appliances and floors,10 here are some other cleaning to-dos you might wish to add to your cleaning checklist:9
- Windows and window tracks
- Skirting boards
- Light fittings, ceiling fans and air conditioning vents and filters
- Inside cupboards, including those in the kitchen and bathrooms, the linen cupboard and wardrobes
- Outside areas – clean balconies, tidy and weed gardens, mow and edge lawns.9
Organise utility disconnection and mail redirection
To avoid being billed for services after you leave and ensure that your important correspondence follows you to your new home, you’ll need to tick off these steps:
- Electricity and gas – Notify your providers to arrange a final meter reading and disconnect the services in your name.11
- Water – If you pay for your water, you may need to contact your provider for a special reading2,12 at least 48 hours before vacating the property.12
- Mail redirection – Add Australia Post to your changing address checklist.13 You’ll have to pay for this service,13 and provide at least three full business days’ notice.14
Plan for the final days of your tenancy agreement
In the last day or two before your tenancy agreement ends you may need to:
- Finalise the cleaning or repairs – Check through the rental property again to make sure you haven’t missed anything, inside and out.2
- Take photos before you move out – Doing this once the property is clean and empty can be used as evidence, if you need it, of how you left things.15
- Ask to attend the exit inspection – Once the property is empty, your landlord or property manager will conduct a final inspection. It’s recommended to try to attend this walkthrough so you can complete the exit condition report together.16,17
Do I have to get my rental professionally cleaned?
Generally speaking, no, tenants don’t have to hire a professional cleaner – as a renter, you can choose to clean a rental property you’re moving out of yourself.7,9
However, this may not always be the case everywhere in Australia. In Victoria, for example, rental agreements signed after 29 March 2021 must include a professional cleaning term that sets out the conditions for when a tenant might need to arrange professional cleaning or might need to clean to a professional standard.10 For instance, a tenant in Victoria could be asked to pay for professional cleaning if the property was professionally cleaned immediately before they moved in, and they were informed of this at the time.10
Still, the general rule of thumb in Australia is that you must leave the property reasonably clean.7,10 You’re not expected to leave it cleaner than when you moved in.10
What does ‘reasonably clean’ usually mean?
The Tenants’ Union of New South Wales says it means what a “sensible person would think is clean”, taking into account how clean the property was when you moved in.7
Consumer Affairs Victoria adds that it doesn’t mean spotless nor “really messy” – reasonably clean sits somewhere in the middle.10
As a guide, for an item to be considered reasonably clean, it should be free from marks, dirt, cobwebs, stains and dust.10 Comparing the condition report from when you moved in may also help you assess whether you’ve cleaned the property sufficiently.10
Carpet cleaning rules explained
If the carpets were cleaned to a certain standard when you picked up the keys at the start of your tenancy, you’ll need to ensure they’re cleaned to that same standard at the end of your tenancy.18
However, generally speaking, the property owner or manager can’t require you to:
- Have the carpet professionally cleaned18,19
- Use a specific carpet cleaning service, if you do decide to have the carpet professionally cleaned18
- Pay a set fee for carpet cleaning.18
An exception to this rule can be if you’ve been allowed to have a pet at your rental property.19 We’ll go into specific considerations for pet owners in more detail below.
What happens if the landlord isn’t satisfied?
If the landlord or property manager doesn’t think something is clean enough after conducting the exit inspection, it’s a good idea to try to work together first to find a solution.17
This may involve having discussions about the situation,20 or agreeing to claim a reduced bond.7 If you do agree to a reduced bond, it’s important to make sure it’s an agreement you’re happy with – or, in other words, that you agree with their claim.7
Alternatively, you can take action if you dispute their claim7 – we’ll go into more detail about that below too.
What’s considered fair wear and tear in Australia?
Fair wear and tear happens during normal use of a property and through changes that occur due to ageing and deterioration from exposure to natural forces or elements, such as sunlight.8,10
So, as opposed to damage that occurs due to poor maintenance or cleaning habits, neglect or misuse, fair wear and tear relates to general deterioration of the property.10
What are some examples of fair wear and tear?
While dirt, grime, grease and damage aren’t considered fair wear and tear,8 some examples of things that usually are include:
- A worn or faded kitchen benchtop10
- A cracked window pane due to old warped frames8
- Minor marks or scuff marks on walls10
- Faded curtains or blinds10
- Flattened carpet pile from foot traffic or furniture.8
What type of damage might tenants be responsible for?
In comparison to fair wear and tear, the type of damage tenants may be held responsible for include things such as:
- Burns or cuts in the kitchen benchtop10
- A cracked window pane from carelessly slamming the window shut8
- Holes in walls or missing wall paint due to wall hooks, nails or shelves installed by the tenant10
- Stains or rips in curtains or blinds10
- Carpet stains from approved pets or overwatered indoor plants.8,10
What if I’m moving out of a rental with pets?
Pet owners are still required to leave the property in as similar a condition as possible to when the tenancy began, taking any fair wear and tear into account.21 So if, for example, your pets have stained the carpets, your landlord can ask you to rectify that damage.21
Bear in mind that if your lease included a specific pet condition requiring professional carpet cleaning or fumigation when you move out, you must fulfill it.21,22 This applies even if your pets never stained the carpet or caused a pest issue.21,22
Should I transfer my insurance before I move?
It depends on what your renter’s insurance policy covers.
“At Youi, if you have a contents-only policy with us to cover your belongings at a house or apartment you’re renting, Temporary Cover at a New Address is automatically included as standard,” says Mervyn Hartley, Youi’s Head of Product – Home and Small Business.
“This means that if you’re moving to a new permanent address, your contents will be covered under your existing policy for up to 14 days from the day you start your move to that new address.
“To keep your belongings covered with Youi after those 14 days, it’s simply a matter of getting in touch with us to take out a new policy for your new permanent address."
Youi’s Contents insurance also includes cover for your contents while they’re in transit inside a professional removalist’s truck.23
“This will cover your contents for loss or damage caused by a vehicle accident or fire during the move between your rental property and your new place,”23 says Hartley.
How do I claim my bond?
Each state and territory has a government body that holds and manages rental bonds,24 so once you’ve moved out and returned the keys, you’ll need to submit your bond claim via that body.7 You can usually do this online or by completing a form, depending on where you live and how your bond was lodged:7
- ACT: ACT Revenue Office – Rental bonds
- NSW: NSW Government Rental Bonds Online or Claim for refund of bond money form
- Qld: Residential Tenancies Authority
- SA: SA Government – Bond refunds
- Tas: Tas MyBond
- Vic: Residential Tenancies Bond Authority
- WA: WA Government – Releasing a bond
If you and your landlord agree on how much of your bond should be refunded, the refund can sometimes be fast-tracked25 – you might even get it back within 24 hours.7
However, if you and your landlord can’t agree on the bond refund amount, you can follow a dispute resolution process to help get the issue sorted.7,25
How to get your bond back in full
While there’s no guaranteed way to get a full refund of your bond, making sure you’ve left the property reasonably clean is a good place to start and should be part of any bond refund checklist.7 It can also help if you took the time to complete your initial condition report carefully and thoroughly at the start of your tenancy.26
For example, if a landlord claims they need to keep $250 of your bond as a cleaning fee for a carpet stain, but you noted the stain on the condition report and took photos of it when you moved in, you’ll be more likely to get your full bond back.26
To help you identify potential issues ahead of time, here are three common reasons renters may forfeit some, or all, of their bond:27
1. Confusion about cleaning standards
Disputes can arise around whether damage is caused by a lack of cleaning – the tenant’s responsibility – or by structural or maintenance issues with the property – a landlord’s responsibility.28
A common example which can trigger this type of dispute is mould. It may help if you can provide evidence to show that you did try to address the issue while you’ve been living there, such as regular cleaning or informing the landlord about the problem.28
2. Not knowing the difference between damage and wear and tear
If a landlord wants to claim money from your bond for damage, they must prove that it’s beyond normal wear and tear.28
We’ve outlined the difference, including some examples, above, but it’s not always so straightforward, depending on the number and type of people living in a rental property and the length of the tenancy.28 For example, it’s reasonable to expect more wear in a household with a lot of people and young children.28
If you are unsure or have questions, you can get advice from your local tenants advice and advocacy service:26
- ACT: Tenancy Advice Line
- NSW: Tenants’ Union of NSW
- Qld: Tenants Queensland
- SA: RentRight SA
- Tas: Tenants’ Union of Tasmania
- Vic: Tenants Victoria
- WA: Tenancy Advice and Education Service26
3. Not challenging an unreasonable claim made by the landlord
It’s not uncommon for renters to think that the landlord or rental agent gets to decide what happens to the bond, but that’s not correct.28 The bond is your money and should be returned in full when a tenancy agreement ends, unless the landlord has a valid claim and can prove what they need the bond money for, with evidence such as quotes or receipts.7
As a tenant, you’re entitled to challenge any unreasonable claim.28
What happens if there’s a bond dispute?
In some states there are dedicated bodies to help landlords and tenants negotiate and reach an outcome in the event of a bond dispute. For example, in Queensland, there’s the RTA Dispute Resolution Service;29 while a similar service, the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA), operates in Victoria.30
Additionally, every state and territory has a tribunal that can step in to make a decision:
- ACT Civil & Administrative Tribunal (ACAT)31
- NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT)7
- Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT)29
- South Australian Civil Administrative Tribunal (SACAT)32
- Tas MyBond33
- Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)30
- WA Commissioner for Consumer Protection34
Whether you are a first-time renter or just need a refresher, this guide will hopefully help make your next move a smooth one.
And, if you’d like to learn more about Youi’s Home and Contents insurance or insurance for renters to see if they’re a good fit for your new place, why not consider starting a quote with us online or giving us a call on 13 9684?
1 Source: Qld Government Residential Tenancies Authority – Annual Report 2024-25, September 2025
2 Source: Qld Government Residential Tenancies Authority – Vacating a property, n.d.
3 Source: Tenants’ Union of New South Wales – How do I end my tenancy?, August 2025
4 Source: NSW Government – Minimum notice periods for ending a tenancy, May 2025
5 Source: Consumer Affairs Victoria – Renters giving notice of intention to vacate, December 2025
6 Source: NSW Government – Rental property condition reports, n.d.
7 Source: Tenants’ Union of New South Wales – Bond, February 2026
8 Source: Qld Government Residential Tenancies Authority – Fair wear and tear, n.d.
9 Source: Qld Government Residential Tenancies Authority – Cleaning, n.d.
10 Source: Tenants Victoria – Consumer Affairs Victoria guidelines, July 2025
11 Source: Circle Green Community Legal – Utilities – Water, Electricity, Gas, May 2025
12 Source: Central Highlands Water – Renting a home, n.d.
13 Source: Australian Government myGov – Moving home, March 2026
14 Source: Australia Post – Mail Redirection application, n.d.
15 Source: WA Government Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety – Leaving a rental home – Tenants’ guide 3, December 2024
16 Source: NSW Government – Moving out of a rental home, May 2025
17 Source: Qld Government Residential Tenancies Authority – Exit condition report, n.d.
18 Source: Qld Government Residential Tenancies Authority – Carpet cleaning and pest control, n.d.
19 Source: NSW Government – Residential tenancy agreements, May 2025
20 Source: Real Estate Institute Queensland – Your guide to rental bond refunds, November 2019
21 Source: NSW Government – Keeping a pet in a rental property, May 2025
22 Source: Qld Government Residential Tenancies Authority – Renting with pets fact sheet, n.d.
23 Exclusions, limits and additional fees may apply. For full details, see the Home Insurance PDS.
24 Source: Tenancy Skills Institute – Unsure about the amount of Bond you need to pay for your residential rental property?, August 2025
25 Source: Qld Government Residential Tenancies Authority – Online Bond Refund, n.d.
26 Source: Moneysmart – Rental bonds and leases, n.d.
27 Source: Tenants’ Union of New South Wales – Bond Kit: Guide to protecting your bond, March 2026
28 Source: Tenants’ Union of New South Wales – Rental Bond Kit, February 2026
29 Source: Qld Government Residential Tenancies Authority – RTA dispute resolution service, n.d.
30 Source: Consumer Affairs Victoria – Resolving bond issues and disputes, December 2025
31 Source: ACAT – Rental bond and security deposit disputes, n.d.
32 Source: SA Government Consumer and Business Services – Settling a bond dispute, n.d.
33 Source: Tas Government Consumer, Building and Occupational Services – Disputing a rental bond claim, October 2024
34 Source: WA Government Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety – Bond disputes for residential tenancies, March 2026
