Exit Condition Report: The Bond Cleaner's Guide (Australia)

The exit condition report serves as the definitive document utilised by agents to determine the release of the bond and to assess whether the bond cleaning has met the required standards. This guide instructs Australian bond cleaners on how to accurately complete the report in accordance with agency and tribunal expectations, thereby distinguishing cleaning responsibilities from fair wear and tear.

Definition of an Exit Condition Report

An exit (or outgoing) condition report is a formal record detailing the state of a property at the conclusion of a tenancy. It is compared line-by-line with the entry condition report signed by the tenant at the commencement of the tenancy. Agents rely on this comparison to ascertain the tenant’s cleaning or damage obligations versus the landlord’s responsibility for fair wear and tear. A professional and objective on-site record significantly reduces the likelihood of being required to perform an unpaid re-clean.

Six Steps to Producing a Professional Exit Record

1. 1. Review the Ingoing Condition Report First

   The exit report must be compared line-by-line with the ingoing report signed by the tenant at move-in. Note any items previously recorded as damaged, stained, or worn, as these pre-existing conditions cannot be attributed to the cleaning performed.

2. 2. Photograph the Property Prior to Commencing Work

   Conduct a thorough walkthrough of every room before beginning any cleaning. Timestamped arrival photographs establish the baseline condition of the property and provide the strongest evidence against being held responsible for pre-existing marks, carpet burns, or chipped benchtops.

3. 3. Distinguish Between Cleaning and Fair Wear and Tear

   All state tenancy legislation exempts fair wear and tear. Conditions such as mould embedded in deteriorated silicone, baked-on grease between oven glass panels, and limescale on aged tapware represent material ageing rather than cleaning deficiencies. These should be documented as observed conditions with accompanying photographs and objective descriptions, rather than as cleaning failures.

4. 4. Employ Objective, Agent-Standard Language

   Describe only what was observed and the actions taken, avoiding subjective opinions. For example, “Heavy baked-on grease deposits between oven door glass panels; panel disassembly is beyond standard bond clean scope” is acceptable, whereas “Oven was too dirty, not my fault” is not. Use a neutral, factual tone consistent with the agent’s condition report.

5. 5. Itemise All Completed Work Areas

   Detail the cleaning performed in each room, including oven and rangehood, bathrooms and grout, carpets, windows and tracks, skirting boards, and spot-cleaned walls. Attach timestamped photographs for each area to enable the agent to verify completion without necessitating a re-inspection.

6. 6. Submit the Report Prior to Leaving the Property

   Provide the report to the tenant or property manager while still on site or immediately upon completion. A report delivered on the same day, with corresponding timestamps, is difficult to dispute and effectively concludes the job before any callback requests arise.

State-Specific Tenancy Legislation

This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. For active disputes, consult the relevant state tribunal (VCAT, NCAT, QCAT, or equivalents) for current procedures.

Agent Inspection and Response Timeframes

The Queensland Act does not specify the consequences if the lessor or agent fails to meet the three-business-day deadline. In any case, it is advisable to retain your own dated copy of the report along with photographic evidence.

Photographic Evidence Standards Expected by Tribunals

• Each photograph must include a timestamp and property address, captured on-site (screenshots or edited images are unacceptable).
• Provide wide-angle shots for context and close-ups for detail of each defect.
• Capture photographs both before cleaning commences and after completion to document both conditions.
• Include one objective sentence per photograph describing the material, condition, and cause category.

Five Most Costly Errors

• ✕Absence of arrival photographs, leaving no proof of pre-existing damage.
• ✕Use of emotional or subjective language (e.g., “disgusting,” “not my job”) instead of objective condition statements.
• ✕Accepting responsibility for fair wear and tear items such as aged silicone mould or faded paint.
• ✕Delayed submission of the report, resulting in timestamps that do not correspond with the job date.
• ✕Photographing only defects without documenting the completed cleaning work.