Fact sheet - Moving out
Easy guide - Moving out
If you want to move out, please tell us in writing. You need to do this two weeks before you will leave. We need to have this in writing for our files. You can not just tell us over the phone. If you do not tell us that you are leaving, we might think that you have abandoned your home. When people abandon their home we:
- throw out anything that has been left behind, unless the items are worth more than a total of $300
- give the home to someone else.
If you do not give us two weeks’ notice before you leave, we will charge you rent for that time.
In an emergency?
 | Ring 000 immediately if it’s an emergency. You can also get help from the Family Violence Response and Referral Line on 1800 633 937. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. |
It’s important that you are safe. If you need to leave your home in an emergency, you will have a lot on your mind. It’s still important for you to contact us as soon as possible. If you don’t, we might think you have abandoned your home.
You can talk to us about moving back into your current home. We don’t want you to become homeless. We can offer you support with housing through Housing Connect. Housing Connect can also link you to other types of support if that’s what you need.
Can Homes Tasmania ask you to leave?
We can ask you to leave if:
- you break the rules of your Tenancy Agreement
- your Tenancy Agreement is coming to an end.
Your home needs to be in a good condition
Your home should be in a good condition when you leave.
There’s more information about what you need to do when you move out below including a useful checklist.
For example, you need to have the carpets steam cleaned before you move. And you need to send us the receipt for this.
Homes Tasmania will inspect the home
After you leave, Homes Tasmania will inspect the home. We will check to see if the home is in the same condition as it was when you moved in.
We accept some damage caused by fair wear and tear. We explain what fair wear and tear is below. If there is a lot of damage, you will either have to fix this, or pay for us to fix it
Fair wear and tear
When we live in a home for a while, general wear and tear can happen. For example, the carpet in a busy hallway may get worn down. Or the paint on the outside of the house may fade.
The person who inspects your home will talk to you about what is considered fair wear and tear. Problems such as broken glass (windows and shower screens), damage to walls or doors, untidy gardens, and rubbish that needs to be removed, are not considered to be fair wear and tear.
Damage to your home
If there is any damage to your home, you need to fix it, even if the damage was caused by someone else, such as a visitor to your home.
If the damage was caused by a problem such as a break-in or family violence, you must tell the police. In this situation, you may not have to pay the cost of fixing the damage.
You can see from the example list below that costs can add up quickly.
The costs on the example list were correct as of October 2022. These prices increase on 1 July each year, in line with the Consumer Pricing Index (CPI).
Item | Charge |
|---|---|
Replace hinged or sliding internal door - price starting from: | $495 |
Removal of rubbish (per cubic metre) - price starting from: | $98 |
Re-hanging one kitchen cupboard door - price starting from: | $36 |
Repairing a hole in the wall up to 100 mm - price starting from: | $11 |
Mowing the lawn of a standard house - price starting from: | $169 |
Cleaning a stove - price starting from: | $94 |
Replacing a bathroom towel rail (per metre) - price starting from: | $82 |
Remove one car body - price starting from: | $191 |
Remove one car tyre - price starting from: | $31 |
Repair hole in a door - price starting from: | $56 |
Replacing one key that is not returned - price starting from: | $34 |
Steam clean carpets of an average sized house 65 m2- price starting from: | $452 |
If you owe us money
If you can’t pay the bill when you move out, you will owe money to Homes Tasmania.
This includes any unpaid rent and bills for damage or cleaning.
You will need to pay us back. We won’t be able to offer you another home until the debt is paid.
If you leave things behind
If you leave things behind, we will throw them out. We will also charge you to throw your things out. If the things are worth more than $300, we will make a list of the items. We need to take this list to court to work out what to do with the things if they are of value. It would be sad if we threw out something that was important to you, such as photos.
We won’t throw things out if you need to leave quickly because of a problem such as family violence. That’s why it’s important to talk to us when you need to leave quickly.
If someone breaks in
You need to call the police if someone breaks in before you have moved out and returned the keys. Please keep the doors and windows locked when you’re not at home.
Returning the keys
You can return the keys when you have:
- moved all your things out
- cleaned the home
- done any repairs that are needed.
We will keep charging rent until we have received the keys. Or we will pass the cost on to you to replace the keys.
Can you get a reference?
Homes Tasmania can give a reference to the person who signed the lease, not for everyone who lived with you.
In our reference, we will say whether you:
- paid the rent on time
- kept the house in good condition
- obeyed all the rules in the lease.
If you need a reference, please talk to us.
Aaron's story
Aaron moved out of his Homes Tasmania home. But he didn’t tell us that he was leaving. We realised he had abandoned the property.
We inspected the home and we found:
- a lot of stuff that had been left behind
- a home that had not been cleaned
- damage to the bathroom wall that needed repairs.
The cost of fixing these problems added up to over $1 000. We contacted Aaron at his new address and sent him the bill. He was not happy. He said he wouldn’t pay back the money. We asked a debt collector to ask Aaron for the money. Aaron cannot have another home with Homes Tasmania until he pays this money back.
A checklist for moving out
Task | Tick Box |
|---|---|
Remove all the furniture and belongings before you start cleaning. | |
Make sure all your items are removed, including things you don't want anymore. | |
Get the carpets steam cleaned. | |
Send the receipt for the steam cleaning to Homes Tasmania. | |
Clean the heater filters, or have the flue cleaned if there is a wood heater. | |
Clean the kitchen, bathroom, laundry and toilet. | |
Wash out all the drawers and cupboards. | |
Clean the stove top, hot plates, grill and oven. | |
Wash the walls, ceilings and floors. | |
Clean the windows inside and out. | |
Clean the window tracks. | |
Mow the lawns and remove the grass clippings. | |
Tidy the garden, including pruning the bushes and trees, weeding and removing green waste. | |
Clean the front and back doors. | |
Make sure the floors are in the same condition as when you moved in. If you have used your own floor coverings, you will need to remove these. | |
Remove all rubbish, both inside and out. | |
Store the clean and empty wheelie bins in the laundry. | |
Make sure any damage is fixed. | |
Disconnect the power, phone, internet and gas. | |
Have your mail redirected through Australia Post. | |
Lock all windows and doors. | |
Return the keys to Homes Tasmania. | |
Tell Homes Tasmania your new address. |
For more information contact Homes Tasmania
Phone: 1300 665 663