Your bond is typically four weeks' rent — often $1,500 to $4,000 or more depending on where you're renting in Perth. Getting it back in full requires more than just cleaning. This step-by-step guide covers everything from giving notice to what to do if your property manager disputes the amount.
Step 1 — Give Proper Notice
In Western Australia, the notice period depends on your tenancy type:
- Fixed-term lease ending: No notice legally required, but good practice to confirm in writing at least 4 weeks out
- Periodic tenancy (month-to-month): 21 days' written notice required
- Breaking a fixed-term lease early: You may be liable for re-letting fees and rent until a new tenant is found
Give notice in writing — email is fine — and keep a copy. This creates a paper trail.
Step 2 — Get the Ingoing Property Condition Report
Dig out the Property Condition Report signed at the start of your tenancy. This is the document your property manager will compare against at exit. If you disputed any items at move-in, check those notes are recorded.
If you no longer have a copy, request one from your property manager — they're required to provide it.
Step 3 — Book Your Bond Clean
The bond clean should be completed 1–2 days before the exit inspection. This gives you time to fix anything you notice, while ensuring the property is fresh for the inspection.
Use a professional bond cleaner with a REIWA-aligned checklist and a bond back guarantee. If your lease requires professional carpet steam cleaning, arrange that as part of the same booking and keep the receipt. See our Perth bond cleaning price guide for typical costs.
Step 4 — Do a Pre-Inspection Walk-Through
Before your property manager arrives, walk through the property yourself using the ingoing condition report and our end-of-lease cleaning checklist. Check:
- All light globes working
- All personal items removed
- All keys, remotes, and fobs ready to hand over
- Smoke detectors functional
- Oven, rangehood, and bathrooms — the most commonly flagged areas
Step 5 — Attend the Exit Inspection (or Arrange Feedback)
You're entitled to be present at the exit inspection. Being there allows you to respond to any concerns in real time and avoid misunderstandings. If you can't be present, make sure you have a contact number the property manager can reach during the inspection.
Ask for a copy of the outgoing condition report immediately after the inspection.
Step 6 — Apply for Your Bond Refund
In Western Australia, bonds are held by the Bond Administrator (Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety). Once both parties agree that the property has been returned satisfactorily, either you or the property manager submits a bond disposal form.
If you agree on the full refund, the process is straightforward and the money is typically returned within a few business days.
Step 7 — What to Do If There's a Dispute
If your property manager claims bond money for cleaning or damage you disagree with:
- Respond in writing — email is fine. State your position clearly and attach supporting photos or receipts.
- Negotiate — many disputes are resolved at this stage. A property manager claiming $500 for a re-clean on a property that was professionally cleaned is a weak position if you have a receipt and a guarantee.
- Contact Consumer Protection WA — they offer free advice on bond disputes and tenancy rights.
- Apply to the Magistrates Court of WA — if the property manager has lodged a claim against your bond and you dispute it, you can contest it through the court. For amounts under $10,000 it's a relatively accessible process.
Tips That Make a Real Difference
- Take photos at move-out on the same day as your bond clean — timestamped photos are powerful evidence
- Keep all receipts: bond clean, carpet cleaning, any repairs you arranged
- Don't hand back the keys until you've walked through the property and are satisfied
- Use a cleaner with a bond back guarantee — it shifts the risk to them, not you
The Biggest Risk: Failing the Exit Clean
The single most common reason Perth renters lose part of their bond is a cleaning standard that doesn't match the ingoing condition report. A professional bond clean removes that risk entirely. The cost ($250–$700 depending on property size) is almost always less than the deductions from a disputed exit clean.
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