End of Lease Bond-Back Checker
Answer six quick questions. Get your Victorian move-out checklist, what the law actually asks of you, the key bond dates, and a price if you'd rather we did it.
Check your move-out
Nothing is sent anywhere — this runs on your phone. Print or save it as a PDF at the end.
What the law asks of you
Your checklist
Kitchen
- Oven inside, racks, trays and door glass
- Cooktop, rangehood and rangehood filters
- Cupboards and drawers, inside and out
- Benchtops, splashback, sink and taps
- Dishwasher filter and door seals, if there is one
- Fridge space (and the fridge, if it came with the property)
Bathrooms
- Shower screen, tiles and grout — soap scum and mould
- Toilet inside, outside and around the base
- Vanity, mirror and inside cabinets
- Exhaust fan cover
- Taps, plugholes and drains
Bedrooms
- Wardrobes inside — shelves, rails and door tracks
- Skirting boards
- Light switches and power points
Living areas and whole home
- Spot-clean marks on walls (fair wear and tear isn't your cost)
- Light fittings and ceiling fans
- Windows inside, sills and tracks
- Blinds dusted; curtains as per the condition report
- Doors, door frames and handles
- Cobwebs, vents and air-con filter covers
Floors
- Vacuum and mop hard floors
- Vacuum carpets thoroughly, edges included
- Treat food or drink stains on carpet
Laundry
- Trough, taps and cupboards
- Dust and lint where the washer and dryer stood
Balcony or courtyard
- Sweep and remove all rubbish
- Wipe railings, sliding door tracks and outdoor light
- Garden as the lease says (weeding, mowing) and remove pet droppings
Pets
- Remove pet hair from floors, skirting boards and vents
- Clean nose and paw marks on doors, glass and walls
- Deal with odours and any accidents on carpet
Handover
- Remove every belonging and all rubbish (bins out on bin night)
- Take dated photos of every room, from the same angles as the condition report
- Attend the final inspection, or ask for a reasonable chance to be there
- Return all keys, fobs and remotes — get a receipt
- Check your bond details on RTBA Online
Key bond dates
- Your rental provider must give you at least 3 business days' notice, with evidence, before claiming any of the bond.
- They must start a claim within 14 days of the agreement ending (unless you start one first).
- You have 14 days to accept their claim. Once everyone agrees, the RTBA usually pays within one business day.
- Disagree? Apply to Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (free). Unresolved cases go to VCAT.
If you'd rather we did it
Estimate only — based on your details; we check the home on arrival and agree any change before we start. Free re-clean of any checklist item flagged within 48 hours. Carpet steam cleaning isn't included; mention it when you book.
Do you have to hire professional cleaners in Victoria?
Usually not. Victorian renters must leave the property reasonably clean and in the condition it was in when they moved in, apart from fair wear and tear. Tenants Victoria says that for agreements made on or after 29 March 2021, a term requiring professional cleaning only applies in two cases: the property was professionally cleaned (or cleaned to a professional standard) right before you moved in and you were told, or professional cleaning is needed to restore it to the condition it was in when you moved in, allowing for fair wear and tear. You can clean it yourself, as long as it meets that standard.
Do you have to steam-clean the carpets?
Not automatically. Traffic marks on carpet are fair wear and tear. Stains, burns and pet damage are different, and a rental provider can claim the reasonable cost of fixing damage you caused. Tenants Victoria notes carpet loses value over its life, so an old carpet is worth little in a damage claim.
What can a rental provider claim from the bond?
Consumer Affairs Victoria lists unpaid rent or bills, damage, missing items such as keys or locks, changes made to the property without asking, and leaving the property not reasonably clean. They can't claim for fair wear and tear — faded curtains or worn benchtops, for example — or for damage they were responsible for repairing. Since 13 October 2026 they must give you the evidence before they lodge a claim — invoices, receipts, quotes or photos — and it can't contradict the condition report.
How to protect your bond
- Find your move-in condition report and photos before you start cleaning.
- Work through the checklist above, room by room.
- Take dated photos of every room when you finish, from the same angles.
- Be at the final inspection, or make sure you were given a reasonable chance to attend.
- If a claim arrives, read the evidence and use your 14 days. Free help: Tenants Victoria and RDRV.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need professional cleaners to get my bond back in Victoria?
Not necessarily. The legal standard is reasonably clean and the same condition as move-in, apart from fair wear and tear. A professional-cleaning term generally only applies if the home was professionally cleaned before you moved in and you were told, or if professional cleaning is needed to restore it to its move-in condition, allowing for fair wear and tear.
Do I have to steam clean the carpets when I move out?
Not automatically. Traffic marks are fair wear and tear. If you caused stains or damage, the rental provider can claim the reasonable cost of fixing it.
How long does a landlord have to claim my bond in Victoria?
They must give you at least 3 business days' notice with evidence, and start the claim within 14 days of the agreement ending, unless you started a claim first.
What if I disagree with a bond claim?
Don't accept it. Apply to Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria, which is free; unresolved disputes go to VCAT. The RTBA only pays out when everyone agrees or there is an order.
How much is end of lease cleaning with Silv's?
$385 for the first 6 hours, then $50 an hour. It's an estimate based on your details: we check the home on arrival and agree any change before starting. Any checklist item flagged within 48 hours is re-cleaned free.
Sources
- Consumer Affairs Victoria — Bond claims and refunds
- Consumer Affairs Victoria — No more unsupported bond claims (13 October 2026)
- Tenants Victoria — Disputing bond and compensation claims
- Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria — How to get your bond back
General information, not legal or financial advice. Checked against these sources on 6 November 2026.