The Two Documents Together
The entry condition report establishes the state of the property when the tenant moves in. The exit condition report establishes its state when they leave. The comparison between the two is what determines whether any part of the bond can be claimed for damage or cleaning beyond fair wear and tear.
If the entry report is thorough and the exit report is equally thorough, a dispute about bond allocation is usually straightforward to resolve. If either document is inadequate, the dispute becomes a credibility contest with no objective anchor.
What Constitutes Fair Wear and Tear
Landlords cannot claim from the bond for fair wear and tear, which is the ordinary deterioration that results from reasonable use of the property over time. A carpet that is worn in a traffic area after several years of tenancy is fair wear and tear. A carpet with stains, burns, or damage that exceeds normal use is not.
The distinction matters because it is frequently contested. A landlord who understands this principle and documents the entry condition precisely has a defensible position.
The Bond Claim Process
Bond claims in Queensland are processed through the RTA. If both parties agree, the distribution is straightforward. If there is a dispute, either party can lodge with QCAT for determination.
QCAT hearings for bond disputes are formal proceedings. The landlord's position needs to be supported by documentation: the entry condition report, the exit condition report, photographic evidence of any damage, and invoices for remediation work.
The Rental Managers completes thorough exit condition reports as a standard part of lease management. Our documentation is prepared with the QCAT standard in mind from the beginning.
