Can we get bond back without a property condition report?

Question

When we moved into our last rental we failed to do a property condition report - this was very stupid of us. We had always rented privately before and never had a problem, we treated these landlords the same, the house was in reasonable disrepair and we walked through the house pointing out things wrong.

When it came to the bond inspection in the first 3 minutes our landlord pointed out 2 things she was going to have to have replaces - a crack in the shower screen and a hole in a door. Both were there when we moved in. We left after that as there was no point staying for the rest of the inspection. We informed her of our intent to dispute any costs.

With no property condition report do we have a leg to stand on if we take this to court?

I think our land lord knows she is in the wrong as as we were leaving she said we didn't have any proof we'd even given her the bond (we do). I don't think she lodged it with the Bond Institute.

Answer 1

You can use pictures as proof.   Sadly you are not likely to have a picture of your shower door.  But the door with the hole is a possibility, look through your family pictures.

While she has to prove damages exists, you have to prove it is not your damage if this goes to court.