Exit Inspection: How to Leave Your Rental Spotless & Get Your Bond Back (2026)
Last updated: March 2026 | Reading time: 9 min | Pillar: Bond Protection
This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, contact a tenancy advocate or solicitor in your state.
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The exit inspection is the moment of truth. Everything you've done — or haven't done — during your tenancy comes down to this walkthrough. Get it right and your bond is back in your account within two weeks. Get it wrong and you're arguing over cleaning bills and carpet stains.
The good news: passing your exit inspection isn't about perfection. It's about returning the property to the same standard you received it, accounting for fair wear and tear. This guide tells you exactly how to do that — room by room, step by step.
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Quick Answer
To pass your exit inspection: clean the property to the standard you received it (not necessarily perfect), repair any damage beyond fair wear and tear, return all keys and remotes, attend the inspection in person with your move-in photos and condition report, and document the property's condition with photos before you hand back the keys. If your landlord raises issues you disagree with, dispute them in writing with evidence.
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Before the Exit Inspection: Your Preparation Checklist
### 2 Weeks Before
- [ ] Re-read your entry condition report — note every item that was marked as damaged or worn at move-in
- [ ] Walk through the property and compare its current state to the condition report
- [ ] Identify anything that needs repair or attention
- [ ] Book professional cleaners if needed (especially for oven, carpets, or end-of-lease clean)
- [ ] Book a pest control service if you had pets and your lease requires it
### 1 Week Before
- [ ] Complete all repairs — fill nail holes, fix minor damage, replace broken items
- [ ] Deep clean the property (see room-by-room checklist below)
- [ ] Mow lawns, weed gardens, and tidy outdoor areas
- [ ] Return the property to the same configuration as when you moved in (remove any additions)
### Day Before
- [ ] Do a final walkthrough — check every room, cupboard, and storage space
- [ ] Photograph every room at the same angles as your move-in photos
- [ ] Collect all keys, remotes, garage openers, and access cards
- [ ] Confirm the inspection time with your property manager
### On the Day
- [ ] Arrive early — be there before the property manager
- [ ] Bring your copy of the entry condition report
- [ ] Bring your move-in photos (on your phone or printed)
- [ ] Bring receipts for any professional cleaning or repairs
- [ ] Take your own photos of every room before the inspection begins
💡 RentWize Tip: RentWize stores your move-in photos and condition report so you can pull them up instantly at the exit inspection — on your phone, right there in the room. No scrambling through emails or old files. [Access your move-in docs →](https://rentwize.com.au)
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The Complete Exit Cleaning Checklist
### Kitchen
- [ ] Oven — inside, outside, racks, glass door, and drawer underneath
- - Tip: Professional oven cleaning ($80–$150) is often worth it — ovens are the most disputed item at exit inspections
- [ ] Rangehood — degrease filters, clean exterior and interior
- [ ] Stovetop — remove and clean burner grates, clean surface and knobs
- [ ] Splashback — degrease and clean
- [ ] Benchtops — clean all surfaces, remove any stains
- [ ] Cupboards — wipe inside and out, including hinges and handles
- [ ] Dishwasher — clean filter, wipe seal, run a cleaning cycle
- [ ] Sink — clean basin, taps, and drain
- [ ] Microwave — inside and out
- [ ] Fridge space — clean the area where the fridge sat (often forgotten)
- [ ] Floors — sweep and mop, including under appliances
### Bathroom(s)
- [ ] Shower screen — remove all soap scum and water marks (use a squeegee daily in the weeks before)
- [ ] Shower tiles and grout — remove all mould (use mould remover, not just surface spray)
- [ ] Shower head — descale if needed
- [ ] Bath — clean enamel, taps, and overflow
- [ ] Toilet — bowl (under the rim), seat, lid, base, and behind
- [ ] Vanity — basin, taps, mirror, and cabinet inside and out
- [ ] Exhaust fan — remove cover and clean dust from blades
- [ ] Towel rails and toilet roll holder — wipe clean
- [ ] Floors — sweep and mop, including behind the toilet
- [ ] Silicone seals — clean or replace if mouldy
### Bedrooms
- [ ] Wardrobes — wipe shelves, rails, and inside of doors; vacuum floor
- [ ] Windows — clean glass inside, wipe frames and sills, clean tracks
- [ ] Blinds or curtains — dust/wipe blinds; check curtains for stains
- [ ] Ceiling fan — wipe blades (often forgotten)
- [ ] Light fittings — remove and clean covers, replace blown globes
- [ ] Skirting boards — wipe along entire length
- [ ] Walls — remove scuff marks with a magic eraser; fill and paint nail holes
- [ ] Carpets — vacuum thoroughly; arrange professional steam clean if required
- [ ] Hard floors — sweep and mop
### Living Areas
- [ ] Windows — clean glass inside, wipe frames and sills, clean tracks
- [ ] Sliding doors — clean glass and tracks
- [ ] Blinds or curtains — dust/wipe blinds; check curtains for stains
- [ ] Light fittings — clean covers, replace blown globes
- [ ] Skirting boards — wipe along entire length
- [ ] Walls — remove scuff marks; fill nail holes
- [ ] Air conditioning — clean filters and wipe vents
- [ ] Fireplace — clean if used (ash, glass, surround)
- [ ] Carpets — vacuum; professional steam clean if required
- [ ] Hard floors — sweep and mop
### Laundry
- [ ] Washing machine space — clean behind and underneath
- [ ] Dryer space — clean behind and underneath; clean lint filter
- [ ] Trough/sink — clean basin and taps
- [ ] Cupboards — wipe inside and out
- [ ] Floors — sweep and mop
### Outdoor Areas
- [ ] Lawns — mow and edge
- [ ] Gardens — weed, trim hedges, tidy garden beds
- [ ] Paths and driveways — sweep; pressure wash if needed
- [ ] Garage or carport — sweep floor, remove oil stains if possible
- [ ] Garden shed — remove all belongings, sweep floor
- [ ] Bins — empty and clean
- [ ] Clothesline — wipe down
- [ ] Fences — check for damage
### General (Every Room)
- [ ] Light switches and power points — wipe clean
- [ ] Door handles and hinges — wipe clean
- [ ] Smoke alarms — test and replace batteries if needed
- [ ] All personal belongings removed — check every cupboard, shelf, and storage space
- [ ] Blu-tack removed — from all walls
- [ ] Picture hooks — remove and fill holes
- [ ] Keys, remotes, and access cards — all returned
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What Is Fair Wear and Tear?
You are not responsible for returning the property to brand-new condition. Fair wear and tear is the natural deterioration that occurs through normal, everyday use — and your landlord cannot claim bond for it.
| Fair Wear and Tear (NOT your responsibility) | Damage (Your responsibility) | |----------------------------------------------|------------------------------| | Faded paint from sunlight | Large holes in walls | | Worn carpet in high-traffic areas | Stains, burns, or pet damage to carpet | | Minor scuffs on walls | Deep gouges or graffiti | | Loose door handles from regular use | Broken door handles | | Faded or worn curtains | Torn or missing curtains | | Small nail holes from picture hooks | Large holes from improper mounting | | Worn enamel on bath or sink | Chips or cracks from impact |
The longer you've lived there, the more wear and tear is expected. A carpet that was new when you moved in 5 years ago will show significant wear — that's not damage, that's age.
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At the Exit Inspection: What to Do
### Arrive Prepared
- Be there before the property manager
- Have your move-in photos and condition report ready on your phone
- Have receipts for any professional cleaning or repairs
### During the Inspection
- Walk through every room with the property manager
- Compare the current state to the entry condition report — room by room
- If they raise an issue, check your move-in photos immediately
- If the issue was pre-existing (documented in the entry condition report), point it out calmly
- Don't sign anything you disagree with on the spot — ask for time to review
### If Issues Are Raised
- Stay calm and factual
- Reference your evidence (move-in photos, condition report)
- If you agree the issue is your responsibility, offer to fix it or negotiate a fair cost
- If you disagree, say so clearly: "I'd like to review my move-in documentation before agreeing to this"
### After the Inspection
- Get a copy of the exit condition report
- Photograph the property yourself at the same angles as your move-in photos
- If your landlord raises claims you dispute, respond in writing within 24–48 hours
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Common Exit Inspection Disputes (and How to Win Them)
### "The oven isn't clean enough" Your defence: Professional cleaning receipt + photos showing oven condition at move-in (if it wasn't clean then, you're not responsible for returning it cleaner).
### "The carpet needs replacing" Your defence: Move-in photos showing carpet condition + length of tenancy (significant wear after 5+ years is fair wear and tear, not damage).
### "There are marks on the walls" Your defence: Move-in photos showing pre-existing marks + evidence that new marks are minor scuffs (fair wear and tear), not damage.
### "The garden is overgrown" Your defence: Move-in photos showing garden condition + evidence of regular maintenance during tenancy.
### "There's mould in the bathroom" Your defence: Maintenance requests showing you reported the underlying cause (e.g., poor ventilation, leaking window) + evidence that you cleaned surface mould regularly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I have to attend the exit inspection? A: You're not legally required to attend in most states, but it's strongly recommended. Attending gives you the opportunity to address issues on the spot and dispute claims before they become formal bond deductions.
Q: What if I can't be there for the exit inspection? A: Arrange for a trusted person to attend on your behalf. Alternatively, do a thorough photographic documentation of the property before you hand back the keys — this is your evidence if disputes arise later.
Q: Can my landlord charge me for professional cleaning if I cleaned thoroughly? A: Only if the property was professionally cleaned before your tenancy, or if your lease specifically requires it and that clause is enforceable in your state. In QLD, mandatory professional cleaning clauses are generally unenforceable.
Q: What if the property manager finds issues after the inspection? A: They can raise additional claims after the inspection, but you have the right to dispute them. Your exit photos (taken on the day) are your evidence of the property's condition when you left.
Q: How long do I have to dispute a bond claim? A: This varies by state, but generally you should respond in writing within a few days of receiving the claim. Don't delay — prompt responses show you're taking it seriously.
Q: What if I accidentally damaged something during the tenancy? A: Report it promptly and arrange repair. Proactive disclosure and repair is far better than having it discovered at the exit inspection. It also demonstrates you're a responsible tenant.
Q: Can my landlord charge me for repainting the entire property? A: Only if the damage goes significantly beyond fair wear and tear. Normal fading and minor scuffs don't justify full repainting. If you've lived there for several years, some repainting is expected as part of normal property maintenance.
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Related Articles
- [How to Get Your Bond Back: The Complete Guide →](/how-to-get-bond-back)
- [How to Handle a Rental Bond Dispute →](/how-to-handle-bond-dispute)
- [Moving House Checklist: Everything You Need →](/moving-house-checklist)
- [What to Do When Your Landlord Won't Make Repairs →](/landlord-wont-make-repairs-australia)
- [Tenant Rights in Your State →](/tenant-rights-australia)
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Leave Nothing to Chance. Leave Nothing Behind.
RentWize stores your move-in photos, condition report, and maintenance records — so at exit inspection, you can pull up the evidence instantly. Your bond is your money. Protect it from day one.
[Access your tenancy documents with RentWize →](https://rentwize.com.au)
Don't get stung. Get Wize.
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This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Tenancy laws vary by state and are subject to change. For advice about your specific situation, contact a tenancy advocate or solicitor in your state.
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