Getting your full bond back comes down to two things: leaving the property reasonably clean and in the same condition as your ingoing report, allowing for fair wear and tear.
This room-by-room checklist covers everything — including the Darwin-specific spots most tenants forget.
General information, not legal advice. Check current rules with NT Consumer Affairs.
Before you start: Get out your ingoing condition report and photos. Compare each room against it as you go.
Kitchen
- Oven, racks, trays and door glass
- Cooktop and rangehood filters
- Inside and outside all cupboards and drawers
- Benchtops, splashback and tiles
- Sink, taps and plughole
- Dishwasher filter and seals
- Fridge space and walls behind appliances
- Light fittings and switches
Bathrooms and laundry
- Shower screen, tiles and grout (check for mould)
- Toilet, including the base and behind
- Vanity, mirror and cabinets
- Exhaust fan
- Laundry tub and the space behind the washing machine
- Floor drains
Bedrooms and living areas
- Wardrobes inside — check for mould after the wet season
- Walls — spot clean marks (test first)
- Skirting boards and door frames
- Light switches and power points
- Floors and carpet (as your lease requires)
The Darwin extras
These are the spots that often appear on outgoing reports in the Top End:
- Air-con filters — wash or vacuum, and wipe the vents
- Ceiling fans — every blade
- Louvre windows — every blade, plus the tracks
- Insect screens and window tracks
- Mould in bathrooms, wardrobes and around windows
- Gecko droppings in cupboards and corners
- Under-house areas and carports — oil stains, rubbish, cobwebs
- Verandahs and outdoor areas
Outside
- Lawns mowed and gardens tidied (if it's your responsibility)
- Rubbish and green waste removed
- Bins emptied and cleaned
- Pool clean and balanced (if your lease requires)
Repairs and final checks
- Fix damage you caused — patch picture hooks if your lease requires, replace globes
- Remove all your belongings — shed, under the house, meter box
- Take date-stamped photos and video of every room after cleaning
- Return all keys, remotes and access cards
- Give your forwarding address
NT bond rules to know
- The landlord must return your bond, or give you a bond notice, within 7 business days of vacant possession
- A bond notice must include reasons, evidence (such as invoices or quotes) and a statutory declaration
- NT law doesn't require tenants to pay for professional cleaning, and clauses demanding it may not be enforceable — but a professional clean is often the easiest way to meet the standard and avoid a dispute
- If you disagree, raise it in writing, then apply to NTCAT if needed
For the full timeline, read Moving Out of a Darwin Rental: Bond Clean and Removal Timeline and Renting in Darwin.
Hand the whole list over
Our Move + Bond Clean package covers the removal and the exit clean, including the Darwin extras on this list.
✎ Edit: Add what your bond clean covers and any re-clean guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
How clean does a rental need to be in the NT?
NT tenants must leave the property reasonably clean, allowing for fair wear and tear. The outgoing condition is compared with the ingoing condition report.
How long does a landlord have to return my bond in the NT?
The landlord must return the bond, or give you a bond notice, within 7 business days of you giving vacant possession.
What do tenants most often forget to clean?
Oven and rangehood, air-con filters, ceiling fans, louvres and window tracks, inside cupboards, the carport and under-house areas.
What can I do if I disagree with a bond claim?
Raise it with the agent in writing first. If it isn't resolved, you can apply to NTCAT. NT Consumer Affairs and the Darwin Community Legal Service can give advice.