The final inspection is the moment your bond is on the line. Knowing what agents and rental providers actually look at helps you focus your time and avoid deductions. Here's how the process works in Victoria and what gets checked.
How the final inspection works in Victoria
At the start of your tenancy, you and the rental provider recorded the property's condition in an entry condition report. At the end, the rental provider or agent must complete the end-of-agreement section of that report within 10 days of the agreement ending. You should be present, or be given a reasonable opportunity to attend.
The inspector compares the property today with that original report. You're expected to leave it reasonably clean and in roughly the same condition, allowing for fair wear and tear. If they believe it isn't, they may claim part of the bond for cleaning or damage.
This is general information, not legal advice. For full details, see Consumer Affairs Victoria.
What agents check in the kitchen
- Inside the oven, including racks, trays and door glass
- Stovetop and the rangehood filter
- Inside cupboards and drawers for crumbs, grease and residue
- Benchtops, splashbacks and grout
- Sink, taps and dishwasher seals
What agents check in bathrooms and the laundry
- Soap scum and water marks on shower screens
- Mould in grout, silicone and ceiling corners
- Toilet bowl, base and behind the toilet
- Exhaust fans
- Laundry tub, and behind where the washing machine stood
What agents check through the rest of the home
- Walls: marks, scuffs and holes compared with the entry report
- Skirting boards, door frames and light switches: dust and fingerprints
- Windows and tracks: dirt in sliding door and window tracks is a common issue
- Wardrobes: shelves, drawers and sliding door tracks
- Carpets: stains or marks that weren't there at the start
- Light fittings, fans and air conditioner filters
Outside and storage areas
- Garages, sheds and storage cages emptied
- Balconies and patios swept, with cobwebs removed
- No rubbish, furniture or belongings left behind
- Bins emptied
Items left behind are a common problem. If you have furniture or rubbish you can't take with you, arrange rubbish removal before the inspection.
Fair wear and tear vs damage
You're not responsible for normal ageing of the property. Minor scuffs from everyday living, light wear on carpets from foot traffic, and faded curtains or blinds are generally considered fair wear and tear. Damage, such as large stains, burns or holes, is different, and may be claimed against your bond.
How to prepare for your final inspection
- Re-read your entry condition report and look at your move-in photos.
- Move everything out first, then clean. Cleaning around boxes always misses spots.
- Use a checklist. Our end of lease cleaning checklist covers every room.
- Take dated photos of every room once you're finished.
- Attend the inspection if you can, so you can discuss anything that's raised.
- Only sign a bond claim form once it shows the amount you'll get back.
Get it right the first time
Zils Home Services provides end of lease and bond cleaning across Melbourne's western suburbs, including Footscray, Sunshine, Werribee, Point Cook and Hoppers Crossing. Every clean follows the checklist agents use at the final inspection and is backed by our bond-back guarantee: if your agent or landlord isn't happy with any area we've cleaned, we'll come back and re-clean it free within 24 hours.