The final inspection is the moment your bond return is decided. Walk in prepared and the inspection takes 20 minutes and you get a thumbs up. Walk in unprepared and you can lose hundreds of dollars over things that were easy to fix.
The day before
Do a final walk through with the original Property Condition Report in hand. Compare every room. Look for things you missed during the bond clean: corners of windows, tops of door frames, the back of the toilet, the inside top of the oven door.
Check that nothing is left in the property. Cupboards empty. Garage empty. Garden shed empty. Backyard tidied. Bin pulled in or out as per your lease.
The morning of
Do a final quick clean. Vacuum any tracked-in dirt from your last trip in or out. Wipe down the kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Check rubbish bins are empty and clean inside.
Take photos of every room before you hand over the keys. This is your evidence if the agent later claims damage.
What to bring
The original Property Condition Report (PCR). Your bond clean receipt. Your carpet cleaning receipt. Any receipts for repairs you did. The keys, including any spare keys, garage remotes, and mailbox keys. Anything else the lease mentions.
How to handle the inspection
Be polite and professional. Walk through with the agent if possible (some agencies prefer to inspect alone, which is your right to query). If the agent points to something, ask politely if it is on the PCR. If it is something they consider an issue, ask what they want done.
If they raise something minor and you can fix it on the spot, do it. A 5 minute touch up is better than a $100 deduction.
What to avoid
Do not argue aggressively. If you disagree, say so calmly and refer to the PCR. The conversation can go through the bond dispute process if needed - you do not have to settle it at the inspection.
Do not sign anything you do not agree with. If the agent presents a final inspection sheet showing issues you dispute, write 'noted but disputed - PCR shows otherwise' next to your signature, or refuse to sign.
Bond release
The agent has 14 days to either return the bond or lodge a dispute. If 14 days pass with no action, you can apply for the bond direct from the bond holder. Most Perth landlords return the bond within a week if the inspection goes well.