David Campbell
Updated 29 Apr 2026, 11:31am
First published 29 Apr 2026, 11:20am
The debate about rental bonds and what is fair has erupted online. Picture: NCA NewsWire
A landlord who took $60 from a bond for cobwebs has sparked outrage among Aussie renters who say they have faced similar gripes at the end of their own leases despite leaving the property in better condition than when they entered it.
A video shared by UK property expert Jack Rooke details the agitated exchange between a landlord and the tenant after the lease ended.
A series of text messages reveal the tenant questioning the validity of the bod deduction over cobwebs before the conversation quickly spirals
“You’ve charged me £30 (AUD $60) for cobwebs … are you joking,” the tenant said.
“You didn’t return the property in the condition you received it,” the landlord replied.
The text exchange between a renter and their landlord. Picture: Supplied
The tenant tried to argue they had left the property in better condition they received it but the landlord refused to agree.
“It wasn’t spotless when I moved in. The oven was filthy and I cleaned it. I left that place better than I found it,” the tenant said.
“The inventory lists the extractor fan as greasy and the oven as requires attention. Those are your words, not mine,” the landlord replied.
The conversation deteriorated further when the tenant took offence to the fact the landlord had booked a professional cleaner for the property before a final inspection had even been conducted.
The text exchange between a renter and their landlord. Picture: Supplied
The landlord argued a professional clean was standard between leases but the tenant disagreed.
“So you booked a cleaner regardless of what state I left it in and you’re taking that out of my deposit,” the tenant said.
“I’ll be raising this with the deposit protection scheme today, they’ll find that very interesting”
The exchange ended with the landlord asking for the tenant not to escalate things unnecessarily.
The tense exchange struck a chord with Aussie renters facing similar issues with their own leases.
The text exchange between a renter and their landlord. Picture: Supplied
Many were quick to comment that it didn’t matter how clean the property was left, landlords would do anything to take bonds.
“There seems to be a trend in landlords expecting properties to be returned or kept in showroom condition and passing on costs related to normal tenancy that should be absorbed by their greed,” one person said.
“I had a rental agent deduct $120 from a bond because there was an outdoor light (above the front door) that was not working (bill said $20 for a bulb and $100 for a handyman to attend and replace). This was the same light that had not been working when I moved in, and I had noted on the condition report when I moved in,” another commented.
“Forget your bond, that is my advice. They will find a way to take some, or all. Is it really worth the stress of going to a big effort and worrying,” said another.
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