How to Get Your Full Bond Back in Victoria: A Renter's Guide
By Cleaning Near Me team ·
Short answer: in Victoria your bond is held by the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA), not by your agent. To get it all back, leave the property reasonably clean, repair any damage you caused, return all keys, and make sure the rent is paid up. Compare the property against your ingoing condition report and take dated photos when you leave.
How bonds work in Victoria
- Your bond is lodged with the RTBA. The rental provider (landlord) or agent can’t simply keep it.
- At the end of the lease, the bond is released by a claim form that both parties sign, or through an application to VCAT if you disagree.
- You can apply for your bond yourself. If the rental provider doesn’t apply to VCAT within the required timeframe, the RTBA can repay you. Check the current timeframes on the RTBA website, because they are set by law and can change.
What your landlord can claim for
- Unpaid rent
- Damage beyond fair wear and tear
- Cleaning, if the property isn’t left reasonably clean compared with the start of the lease
- Lost keys, remotes and swipe cards
- Rubbish or belongings you left behind
Fair wear and tear vs damage
| Fair wear and tear (not claimable) | Damage (claimable) |
|---|---|
| Faded curtains or paint from sunlight | Holes in walls from hooks you put up without permission |
| Carpet worn in walkways | Burns, pet damage, large stains |
| Minor scuffs from furniture | Broken fittings, cracked tiles |
| Loose door handles from normal use | Broken windows |
Cleaning is different: dirt, grease and mould you allowed to build up are generally not fair wear and tear.
Step-by-step: getting your full bond back
- Find your ingoing condition report and your photos from moving in. This is your baseline.
- Read your lease for special terms, e.g. professional carpet cleaning or garden maintenance.
- Book your cleaners early. End of month and end of semester fill up fast in Melbourne.
- Fix small things you caused, like picture hooks and blown globes, or discuss them with your agent first.
- Remove everything, including rubbish from the bins.
- Take dated photos and video of every room after the clean.
- Attend the final inspection if you can, and ask what, if anything, needs fixing.
- Return all keys and get a receipt.
- Sign the bond claim only when you agree with the amounts.
If the agent says the clean isn’t good enough
Ask for the issues in writing, with photos. A reputable cleaner will come back and fix reasonable issues. Ours re-cleans free within 3 days. Then ask the agent to re-inspect. If you still disagree about a deduction, don’t sign the claim form. The dispute can go to VCAT, and your photos and cleaning invoice will be your evidence.
Summary
Your bond is your money. A clean that matches your ingoing condition report, dated photos, and a cleaner who stands behind their work together give you the best chance of getting it all back.
Get a bond back cleaning quote →
General information only, not legal advice. See Consumer Affairs Victoria and the RTBA for the current rules.