Common Reasons Tenants Lose Their Bond and How to Avoid Them
For many tenants, getting the full bond back at the end of a lease can feel uncertain and stressful. The bond-usually equal to several weeks' rent-is held to cover cleaning, damage, or unpaid costs. Unfortunately, a large number of tenants lose part (or all) of their bond due to avoidable mistakes. Understanding why bonds are commonly withheld and knowing how to prevent these issues can make the difference between a smooth move-out and a costly dispute. Below are the most common reasons tenants lose their bond-and practical steps to avoid them. 1. Inadequate End of Lease Cleaning Why it happens Poor cleaning is the number one reason bonds are deducted. Tenants often underestimate how detailed an end-of-lease clean needs to be. Property managers inspect areas that are easily missed during DIY cleaning. Commonly overlooked areas include: Oven, rangehood filters, and stovetop grease Bathroom mould, grout, and exhaust fans Window tracks and sills Ceiling fans and air condit...