What is bond for?
Your bond is a security deposit held by the state tenancy authority for the duration of your tenancy. It protects the landlord against unpaid rent, property damage beyond fair wear and tear, and unpaid bills. At the end of the tenancy, any legitimate costs are deducted and the remainder is returned to you.
The burden of proof falls on the landlord. They must show that any deduction is a direct result of your breach of the tenancy agreement — not something that would have occurred with normal use.
Legitimate bond deductions
A landlord can deduct from your bond for:
- •Unpaid rent at the time of vacating
- •Damage to the property beyond fair wear and tear (e.g., holes in walls, broken fittings, stained carpets caused by negligence)
- •Professional cleaning required to return the property to its original condition (where you have not cleaned adequately)
- •Removal of rubbish or abandoned items
- •Unpaid utility bills that you are liable for under the lease
- •Costs to re-let the property if you broke the lease without cause
Fair wear and tear — what you are NOT responsible for
Fair wear and tear is the natural deterioration that occurs through normal use of the property. You are not responsible for this. Examples of fair wear and tear include:
A landlord CANNOT deduct for repainting the entire property just because you lived there for several years. Normal use of a property causes normal wear — this is a landlord's cost of ownership, not yours.
- •Fading of paint or curtains due to sunlight
- •Minor scuffs on walls from furniture placement
- •Worn carpet in high-traffic areas
- •Small nail holes from picture hanging (reasonable amount)
- •General ageing of fixtures, fittings, and appliances
Damage vs fair wear and tear — how to tell the difference
The key question is whether the condition resulted from normal use or from negligence, carelessness, or misuse. A stain on a carpet is likely damage. A slightly worn patch where a chair sat for three years is wear and tear. Courts and tribunals consider the age of the item, its expected lifespan, and the length of the tenancy when making this assessment.
Cleaning claims — the most common dispute
Cleaning is the most commonly disputed deduction. The landlord is entitled to return the property to the standard it was at the start of the tenancy — not necessarily to a professional cleaning standard. If you move into a property that wasn't professionally cleaned, you don't need to pay for professional cleaning on exit. Your condition report at move-in is critical evidence here.
Protecting yourself
The best protection against unfair deductions is documentation:
- •Complete the ingoing condition report thoroughly and accurately — return it on time
- •Take dated photographs of every room, including any pre-existing damage
- •Take dated photographs again when you leave (same angles)
- •Keep a copy of all correspondence about maintenance and repairs
- •Keep your rent payment records
This guide provides general information based on current Australian tenancy legislation. It is not legal advice. Always verify with the relevant state tenancy authority or a qualified professional for your specific situation. Last verified: January 2026.