As a renter, paying a rental bond loan is never fun when moving in. But what’s even worse is if you don’t get all of it back when you move out at the end of your tenancy. Many tenants often have a lingering fear that they won’t get any or all of their bond back, for one reason or another. Fortunately, there are some guidelines that can help you make sure that you get the refund in full. Following are some tenancy bond refund tips that will help you move out and move on:
Read Your Tenancy Agreement Carefully
Sometimes there are certain conditions in the tenancy agreement that affect the tenant getting their full tenancy bond back. There are generally clauses which state that if you break the tenancy agreement within a certain timeframe, you won’t get the bond refund as it will be used to cover the landlord’s expenses of finding a new tenant earlier than expected. That’s why it is recommended that you check the tenancy agreement for such clauses.
Focus on the Inspections
Initial Condition Report
While final inspection is usually the primary focus when getting a bond refund, the initial condition report is just as important. When you first move in, you should note any specific property damage. Even if the damage is minor, be diligent by taking notes and extra photos that you can use as evidence if required.
Final Inspection
Whether it’s water damage due to a leaky faucet, mold growing in the bathroom, or any other kind of property damage, always tell the real estate agent or landlord immediately. As a tenant, it is your responsibility to maintain the property as long as you occupy it.
Prioritize Bond Cleaning
You have hired a removalist, packed all of your valuables, and now you are wondering what’s next. Unfortunately, there is one last step to conquer when moving out: your end of lease clean. Thanks to your initial condition report, you will have a good idea of how to return the property to its original state.
Go Room by Room
When it comes to bond cleaning, you might not know where to begin. It is recommended that you go room by room as it is the best way to deal with the problem. Start with the kitchen, the bathroom, and then the rest of the property.
Hire Bond Cleaning Professionals
If the thought of scrubbing kitchen floors and getting your elbows dirty is too overwhelming, then it is highly recommended that you hire bond cleaning professionals. For a reliable service, it would be a good idea to ask your property manager for recommendations.
Do Your Research
The terms and conditions regarding rental bond refunds vary from one state to another, so it is not wise to make assumptions about what to expect. You should do your research on the bond refund process, ‘fair wear and tear’, as well as the issues an agent or landlord can claim against.
And remember, BondHub were set up for the sole purpose of finding you the most effective personal loans for bond loans to take the stress out of moving house. Call us on 0800 255 155 or enquiries@loansmart.co.nz
