Moving out of your rental property involves more than just packing up your things and returning the keys. In order to pass your final inspection and complete the rental process properly, there are certain tasks you will need to take care of.
Below is a step-by-step guide to help you to ensure your vacate goes as smoothly as possible.
Moving time is the perfect opportunity for a good cleanout to get rid of any excess or unwanted items. However, don’t be tempted to leave behind things you don’t want when you vacate. None of your items should be left at the property by the time you leave.
This includes items left on the kerb for council pickup. Make sure you organise this in plenty of time – preferably two to three weeks in advance – as the process can take a few weeks. All rubbish must be removed and the bins clean and empty before keys are returned.
Visit your local council website to check whether they offer this service or make arrangements for pickup.
You must ensure that your property is thoroughly cleaned before you hand the keys back. Returning keys is final; it is viewed as an indication that you’re happy with how you’ve left the property.
As a basic cleaning guideline, remember that you need to leave the property in the same condition it was in at the start of your tenancy, as per the ingoing property condition report (more on this below).
To ensure nothing is missed you can also ask your property manager to provide you with a cleaning list.
Carpets must be professionally cleaned and properties with pets must undergo a flea treatment; copies of receipts for these processes must be handed to your property manager when you return your keys.
You should still have a copy of the ingoing property condition report your property manager completed at the beginning of your tenancy. After you have finished cleaning, you should cross-check the condition of the property with the ingoing report to ensure everything matches up.
Your property manager will also check this when completing the final inspection and filling in an outgoing condition report, but it’s a good idea to reference it yourself to ensure you haven’t missed anything.
It’s your responsibility to disconnect all your utilities when you vacate the property. This includes:
Inform your utilities providers as early as possible of your vacating date, otherwise you may be charged for the next billing period.
Remember to update your address for any mail you may receive as well. We recommend using Australia Post’s mail redirection service.
A vacate date will be arranged as soon as you give notice to your property manager that you’ll be leaving the property. This will be the date on which you return your keys and finalise the tenancy. Make sure you adhere to this date and have all your preparations made so you can return the keys on time.
You should also ensure that all payments are up to date. Check with your property manager if you’re unsure whether you have any outstanding payments.
Rent is payable until the date you return your keys; don’t rely on your bond to cover your final rent payments, as the entire bond is held until the tenancy has been finalised. It will only be used to cover additional cleaning and repairs.
If applicable, a final water usage bill will be calculated and your property manager will advise you of the amount owing.
If you have any questions about ending your lease and vacating the property, be sure to get in touch with your property manager, who can talk you through the process.
Further information can be found on the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation & Safety web site.
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