Moving Out of a Rental Property Checklist

Moving out of a rental property involves more than packing up and handing back the keys. There are several things you needed to do to ensure your move out goes as smooth as possible and your bond is returned as fast as possible, including giving notice correctly, preparing the property for the final inspection, arranging lift access for removalist if you live in an apartment, and making sure all keys and remotes are returned on the date outlined in your notice to vacate.

This guide explains what to do when moving out of a rental property, how to prepare in the lead-up to your vacate date.

The first step when moving out of a rental property is to make sure notice has been given correctly. Your notice should be submitted in line with your tenancy agreement and any applicable notice period requirements. If you have not yet done that, this should be your starting point before arranging any cleaning, removalists, or utility changes. Check out our [Notice to Vacate] guide link.

Once notice has been submitted, it is a good idea to plan the rest of your move early. Many tenants leave too much until the final few days, which often creates unnecessary stress and can lead to overlooked items. The more organised you are before your vacate date, the easier it is to leave the property in a suitable condition and avoid delays of your bond after you move out.

If you live in a strata building or apartment complex, you should also check whether you need to pre-book a lift, loading dock, or move-in and move-out access window. Some buildings have strict rules for moving times, deposits, or advance booking requirements. Sorting this out early can make a big difference on moving day.

Preparing the property properly is key to a smooth vacate process and timely bond refund:

• Pre-book the elevator with your building manager – This ensures your move runs smoothly and you will be able to move out on the day of your choice. Tip: ensure your understand the building by-laws, some buildings require a deposit paid to building management before you can begin your move.
• Redirect your mail – Organise your postal redirection early so you don’t miss important documents.
• Notify your utility providers – Inform them of your vacate date, but make sure power and water remain connected until after the outgoing inspection. Without power, we cannot complete the report and your bond refund will be delayed.
• Organise professional cleaning – We strongly recommend using an end-of-lease cleaner (not just a routine cleaner). This ensures the property is returned in near it's initial condition and helps avoid disputes or delays.
• Fix damages and replace lights: If you have put up hooks, noticed any damages caused during your stay or light bulbs not working, it's faster to organise the repairs yourself or inform us before you have moved out. This will prevent bond return delays.

Your rent is chargeable as a daily rate until all keys are returned to our office, all furniture is removed, and the property has been cleaned to end-of-lease standards. Keys must be returned promptly on or before your vacate date.

We will complete an outgoing inspection once you have vacated. To help ensure your bond is refunded without delay:

• Report or repair any damages before handing back the keys.
• Replace any non-working light bulbs.
• Remove all hooks, stickers, or items attached to the walls.
• Make sure rubbish and belongings are removed.
• Ensure the property is left in as close to the original condition as possible, allowing for fair wear and tear.

Our goal is to process your bond refund within 3 business days of the inspection being completed successfully.

Need some extra assistance to take the stress out of your moving out? Here is our list of vetted contractors, they have worked with us on multiple occasions and received outstanding feedback from past tenants and landlords alike.

• Cleaning company: Ray 0434 968 908
• Removal company: Rebecca 0420 502 188
• Moving your Utility: Myconnect 1300 187 449

We understand that getting your bond back on time and without stress is one of your top priorities. From our experience managing thousands of tenancies, the single biggest hold-up is end-of-lease cleaning. That’s why 9 out of 10 tenants choose to hire a professional end-of-lease cleaner. If you find a cleaner yourself on google or elsewhere, make sure they:

• Offer a guarantee to return free of charge for any missed areas.
• Specialise in end-of-lease cleans (not just routine cleans).

You’ve been a great tenant, and the last thing we want is to leave a sour note at the end of your journey with Sydney Realty Group. Thank you for being part of our community and wish you all the best in your move. We hope we can be of assistance in the future for any of your property needs, until then, this is good bye for now!