Can my landlord take money from my bond for cleaning in Victoria?
Yes, your landlord can take money from your bond for cleaning in Victoria, but only if you do not leave the property reasonably clean. They cannot charge you for fair wear and tear or demand a professional clean unless it was professionally cleaned before you moved in.
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How it works in practice
The Standard for Cleaning
In Victoria, the Residential Tenancies Act requires tenants to leave the property reasonably clean and in the same condition as when the rental agreement started, taking into account fair wear and tear.
Fair Wear and Tear
Your landlord cannot use your bond to cover cleaning costs related to normal everyday living. For instance, minor scuff marks, dust buildup in hard-to-reach external areas, or natural fading of surfaces are not valid reasons for a bond deduction. The bond is strictly to protect against genuine negligence or damage.
Professional Cleaning Rules
Under Victorian rental laws updated in 2021, landlords are legally prohibited from inserting clauses into a tenancy agreement that automatically require you to pay for professional cleaning when you vacate.
The only way a landlord can legitimately claim bond money for professional cleaning is if the property was professionally cleaned immediately before you moved in, and you were informed of this. Alternatively, if professional cleaning is required to restore the property to its original condition due to specific tenant actions, such as removing pet odors or deep stains, a claim may be valid.
Important exceptions
The main exception involves keeping pets at the rental property. If you have been granted permission to keep a dog, cat, or other animal, your landlord has stronger grounds to require a professional clean or pest control at the end of the lease, but only if the pet caused a specific issue like fleas, smells, or deep carpet soil.
Additionally, if your original Condition Report clearly notes that the property was professionally cleaned to a high standard immediately prior to your arrival, you are legally bound to return it in that exact same professionally cleaned state, or face a bond deduction.
What you should do now
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Compare the property's current cleanliness to the original Condition Report you signed when moving in.
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Clean the property thoroughly yourself, focusing on high-traffic areas, ovens, and bathrooms to meet the reasonably clean standard.
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Take detailed, date-stamped photographs and videos of every room after you have finished cleaning.
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Submit a bond claim directly to the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) as soon as you hand back the keys.
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Dispute any unreasonable cleaning claims through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) if the landlord attempts to block your refund.
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