What does ‘reasonably clean and tidy’ mean for NZ renters?

Section 40 of the Residential Tenancies Act says a tenant must keep the premises reasonably clean and reasonably tidy. Tenancy Services applies the same wording to the condition in which a rental should be left at the end of the tenancy. The law does not provide a universal photographic checklist for every home.

• Removable dirt and residue: clean it
• Gradual ageing from normal use: record it as wear
• A failed fitting or leak: report it as a repair
• New physical damage: record and discuss it separately

Start with the entry inspection report and dated photos. Compare each room with its recorded starting condition, allowing for normal use over time. An older property can be reasonably clean without looking newly renovated. Cleaning also cannot repair worn flooring, failed sealant or a leaking tap.

• Keep cleaning and repair issues in separate lists
• Photograph marks that were present at move-in
• Ask about unclear items before the final day

Inspect in daylight after furniture and rubbish have been removed. Check inside agreed cupboards and appliances, then look at bathrooms, floors, skirtings, window sills and accessible glass. Check again after surfaces have dried so streaks and missed edges are easier to see.

Keep the tenancy agreement, entry report, messages and dated end-of-tenancy photos. A cleaning invoice can show what work was booked, but it cannot determine the bond result. Tenancy Services can explain the process, and the Tenancy Tribunal deals with disputes that the parties cannot resolve.