What are the Tenant’s Responsibilities When Moving Out of a Furnished Property?

In a residential tenancy agreement, rental agents typically provide a detailed property condition report, which includes an inventory of the furniture and equipment available in the property. Below are key responsibilities tenants must follow when moving out of a furnished property.

What is a partially furnished property?

A partially furnished property includes basic items such as a bed, sofa, washing machine, and built-in kitchen appliances like a stovetop, rangehood, oven, microwave, or fridge. These properties allow tenants to move in without needing large furniture items like beds or refrigerators.

What is a fully furnished property?

A fully furnished property comes equipped with nearly everything you need to live comfortably. In addition to essentials like beds and sofas, it may include a TV, dining table and chairs, curtains, light fittings, outdoor furniture, and plants. The kitchen will often have small appliances, cookware, and utensils, such as a toaster, plates, cutlery, pots, and pans. Tenants usually only need to bring groceries, clothes, and personal items.

Tenant’s Responsibilities When Moving Out of a furnished property

Moving out of a furnished property requires extra attention to detail. Tenants must return the property in the same condition as it was at the start of the lease, accounting for normal wear and tear. Below is a checklist of tenant responsibilities:

Carpet Cleaning

• Steam clean carpets, and rugs to remove dirt and stains.
• If you have pets, steam clean upholstery to eliminate pet hair and odours to avoid deductions from your bond

Inspect for Damage

• Check for broken or damaged items.
• Hire a tradesperson to fix the damages.
• Repair minor issues yourself or prepare to cover repair costs.
• Normal wear and tear, like small scuffs, is acceptable. However, repair heavy scuff marks, noticeable damage, or large holes with the help of a professional.

Report Maintenance Issues

• Report water leaks or plumbing issues promptly. Neglecting them could lead to grout build-up, mould, or wall damage, for which tenants are responsible.
• Gas, and electric safety checks are required promptly.

Appliance Safety

• Do not use unsafe appliances you may have during your tenancy. Faulty appliances can pose risks to the property.
• Buy certified appliances that have been safety-checked and are in good working condition.

Property Items

• Do not take any property items belonging to the landlord. Refer to the tenancy agreement if unsure about ownership.

Furniture Care

• Avoid moving furniture unnecessarily to prevent damage or breakage.
• Report to the renter about missing screws or shaky furniture.

Move Out Cleaning

• Dust and wipe down all furniture, and remove cobwebs and dirt from the property.
• Hire a professional end of lease cleaning service for a deep clean.
• Clean plates, cutlery, and other kitchen items thoroughly before leaving.
• Mow your grass and trim plant branches if required.
• Clean the backyard furniture and outdoor kitchen.

Personal Belongings

• Ensure you take all your belongings when moving out. Do not leave anything behind.

Final Inspection

• Return the property in a clean and well-maintained condition to secure your full bond refund.
• Arrange the final inspection after cleaning.