Understanding exactly what your property manager will look for at the exit inspection is the best preparation you can do. In Perth, property managers use the REIWA Property Condition Report — the same form completed at the start of your tenancy — to assess whether the property has been returned in the same condition, allowing for fair wear and tear.
Here's a room-by-room breakdown of what gets checked, and the areas most commonly flagged.
The REIWA Property Condition Report
The REIWA Property Condition Report is a standardised form used by most property managers and agents in Western Australia. At the start of your tenancy, you and your property manager complete it together, noting the condition of every area of the property. At exit, they walk through it again and compare.
Any difference between the ingoing and outgoing report that goes beyond normal wear and tear can result in a bond claim. This is why understanding the report — and cleaning to it — is so important.
Kitchen — Most Scrutinised Area
The kitchen generates more bond deductions than any other room in Perth exit inspections.
- Oven — inside the cavity, racks, door glass (inside and out), and the rubber door seal
- Rangehood — filters, interior surfaces, and exterior housing
- Stovetop — burner grates, drip trays, and surrounding surfaces
- Cupboards — inside every cupboard and drawer, including hinges and handles
- Dishwasher — filter cleaned, interior wiped, door seal clean
- Splashback — grease and residue behind cooking area
- Sink — limescale on taps, drain filter cleared
Bathrooms and Ensuite
- Shower screen — soap scum and hard water marks are always checked
- Grout and tiles — mould is a common deduction, especially in older bathrooms
- Toilet — under the rim, behind the base, and the water inlet area of the cistern
- Vanity — inside the cabinet, behind taps, and the drain
- Mirror — streaks and toothpaste marks
- Exhaust fan — dust buildup on the cover is commonly missed
Bedrooms and Living Areas
- Blinds — each slat is checked individually for dust. This is one of the most commonly missed items in DIY cleans
- Wardrobes — interior shelves, hanging rail, tracks at the bottom, and the door faces
- Skirting boards — behind furniture and along all walls
- Window sills and tracks — dust and debris in the sliding tracks
- Light fittings and ceiling fans — dust on fan blades is always visible from below
- Walls — scuff marks, crayon, and picture hook holes beyond normal wear
- Carpets — stains, pet hair, odour, and whether professional steam cleaning has been done if required
- Hard floors — mopped with no residue or streaks
Laundry
- Laundry tub — taps and basin clean
- Behind and under the washing machine space
- Lint filter if a dryer is present
- Cupboards and shelving
Garage and Outdoor Areas
- Garage floor — oil stains and general cleanliness
- Garage walls — dust and marks
- Balcony or patio — swept and free of stains
- Garden areas — tidy, leaves cleared, no rubbish left
Whole-of-Property Items
- All light globes working — property managers check every switch
- Smoke detectors functional — battery replaced if needed
- Air conditioning filters — dust buildup on filters is checked
- All keys, remotes, and garage fobs returned
- All personal items and rubbish removed
What "Fair Wear and Tear" Means
Property managers cannot charge for fair wear and tear — this covers gradual deterioration from normal, everyday use. Examples of fair wear and tear include minor scuffs on walls, small nail holes from pictures, and carpet worn down by foot traffic over several years.
What is not fair wear and tear: large holes in walls, carpet stains, mould from inadequate ventilation, or damage caused by pets.
How to Make Sure You Pass
The most reliable way is to use a professional bond cleaner who works from the same REIWA checklist your property manager uses. Our full end-of-lease cleaning checklist covers every item listed above — use it to verify a DIY clean or brief your cleaner before the job.
We respond within 1 hour, 7 days a week.