CDA ColivingMove-Out Guide
Thank you for calling CDA home. Here's everything to make your departure smooth — and your deposit whole.
Giving Your Move-Out Notice
Written notice, 4 weeks (28 days) in advance — whether you're ending a fixed term or on month-to-month.
If you're leaving because of location or lifestyle, we have properties across Sydney and beyond — tell us what you're looking for before finalising your move-out and we'll try to find you a room. And if there's anything about your stay you'd like to share, good or bad, we'd love to hear it.
You must always give written notice. In most cases the notice period is 4 weeks (28 days); check your Occupancy Agreement, which always takes precedence.
Notice Date Calculator
Enter the day you plan to move out and the day you'll send your notice to CDA. We'll check whether that gives the required 28 days — and, if not, estimate the extra rent payable.
How to submit your notice
The preferred method is the Move-Out Form; email is the alternative. Notices via WhatsApp, phone or in person are not accepted.
Open the Move-Out Form ↗ — the fastest, most reliable way to submit your notice.
State a clear, specific move-out date. This becomes your official move-out date.
You'll receive a move-out confirmation with departure expectations and financial details closer to the date. Keep it — it's your official record.
What happens after you give notice
Our team runs on a skeleton staff over this period and no in-person move-out inspections take place. You can still move out — we won't stop you — but final inspections, deposit settlement and refunds are likely to take longer than usual and may not be finalised until after 14 January. If your plans are flexible, we strongly recommend scheduling your move-out outside these dates, and if they aren't, tell us early so we can get as much done in advance as possible.
Ending Your Agreement Early
Two situations where fees apply — know which one applies to you.
Scenario 1 — Fixed term, leaving before the end date
Leaving before your agreement's end date incurs a break fee. That's separate from your notice: you still have to give four weeks' written notice and keep paying the occupancy fee through the notice period. If you leave early and give short notice, you're charged the greater of the two — not both.
Your Occupancy Agreement sets a sliding scale, so leaving near the end of your term costs far less than leaving at the start. We only charge what your agreement provides for, and never more than our actual loss — if the room is re-let sooner, you pay less.
Occupancy Agreement (room in a shared house):
| Portion of agreement elapsed | Break fee |
|---|---|
| Less than 25% | 2 weeks' occupancy fee |
| 25% – 50% | 1.5 weeks' occupancy fee |
| 50% – 75% | 1 week's occupancy fee |
| 75% or more | Half a week's occupancy fee |
Residential Tenancy Agreement (studio or whole house) — the break fee follows the NSW sliding scale:
| Portion of lease elapsed | Break fee |
|---|---|
| Less than 25% | 4 weeks' rent |
| 25% – 50% | 3 weeks' rent |
| 50% – 75% | 2 weeks' rent |
| 75% or more | 1 week's rent |
Break Fee Estimator
This is the break fee only. If you also gave short notice, use the Notice Date Calculator above for the occupancy fee of the unexpired notice period — the greater of the two is what's charged. It's settled against your security deposit; unpaid rent and damage are separate and charged in addition. Estimate only; your final invoice and signed agreement always prevail.
Avoiding the break fee: finding a replacement
- The replacement signs a minimum 3-month agreement with CDA
- They are approved by CDA as a suitable occupant
- They are not a current or former CDA resident
Even with a replacement: you must still give 4 weeks' written notice, submit the replacement's details for approval before departing, and keep paying the occupancy fee until they move in.
Scenario 2 — Leaving without giving the required notice
Whether fixed-term or month-to-month, leaving without proper written notice means you owe rent for the full notice period — or until a new resident moves in, whichever comes first. Vacating early doesn't release you.
You're charged the greater of the two: the break fee, or the occupancy fee for the unexpired portion of the notice period (or until a new occupant moves in, whichever is earlier). It's settled against your security deposit. Anything else you owe — unpaid rent, damage, cleaning — is separate and is charged in addition.
Your Last Day & Rent
Checkout is 4:00 PM. Rent is charged up to and including your move-out date.
Contact CDA in advance to check availability — the room may already be allocated to a new resident. If approved, each additional day is charged at your daily rent rate.
Daily Rate Calculator
On move-out day — step by step
See the Deep Clean Checklist tab. Allow enough time — ideally the full day before.
Every corner, surfaces, bathroom, kitchenette. This protects you in any dispute.
Occupancy Agreement: leave the keys on the bedside table, bedroom door closed but unlocked. Residential Tenancy Agreement: return the keys to CDA's mailbox — you'll receive the instructions by email, and you must send photo evidence of the key return.
Send your move-out photos and Australian bank account details to [email protected] so your deposit can be processed.
Deep Cleaning Checklist
A deep clean, not a quick tidy — every item is inspected. Missing the standard means a $100 room-cleaning fee from your deposit. Progress saves on this device.
Common charge reasons: dusty wardrobe tops, under-bed not vacuumed, stained mattresses, surfaces only superficially wiped. Every surface — top, bottom, inside, outside and underneath — must be clean.
Antibacterial spray · glass cleaner · toilet cleaner · floor cleaner · vacuum · mop & bucket · paper towels · disinfectant wipes · sugar soap (wall marks) · gloves
- Empty ALL rubbish — every drawer, corner and under the bed
- Vacuum and mop the floor — including under the bed and furniture
- Wipe the TOP of the wardrobe — inspected and must be dust-free
- Wipe inside AND outside all wardrobe doors, shelves and rails
- Wipe the desk surface, drawers (inside and out) and legs
- Wipe the chair seat, backrest and legs
- Wipe the bed frame — headboard, side rails, footboard
- Clean underneath the bed — vacuum or mop the full area
- Wipe the bedside table — surface, drawer, legs
- Clean window glass inside — no smears or fingerprints
- Wipe window sill and frame — remove dust and cobwebs
- Wipe all skirting boards
- Clean mirrors with glass cleaner — streak-free
- Replace burnt-out light bulbs
- Clean walls — sugar soap on stains, marks or scuffs
The mattress was delivered clean and must be returned that way. Remove the protector and inspect surface, sides and seams. Staining means the mattress is replaced at $300. A CDA-provided protector must be returned freshly laundered or replaced ($50).
- Remove your sheets, pillows and personal mattress protector
- CDA protector: leave freshly laundered — or replace it
- Inspect the mattress for stains or damage — report anything pre-existing
- Remove all your coat hangers
- Remove every personal item — nothing left behind
- Return moved furniture to its original position
- Remove all your food from fridge, freezer and cupboards
- Remove toiletries and personal items from the bathroom
- Clear personal items from the living room and shared spaces
- Scrub inside/outside the toilet bowl and under the rim
- Wipe toilet seat, lid, cistern and base
- Scrub the sink — remove scum, toothpaste and hair
- Clean tap and drain area
- Clean the mirror — streak-free
- Scrub the shower floor — soap scum and mould gone
- Clean the shower screen — no water marks or residue
- Wipe shower walls and grout lines
- Empty fridge and freezer — wipe all internal surfaces
- Empty pantry — wipe shelves inside and out
- Scrub the sink — no food particles or residue in the drain
- Clean bench tops and tiled walls — no oil, grease, dust or hair
- Clean the electric cooktop — no grease or burnt residue
- Clean microwave inside and out
- Clean the kettle inside and out
- Fix any damage you caused — or report it via the Maintenance Form before inspection
- Return keys: Occupancy Agreement → bedside table · Residential Tenancy Agreement → CDA's mailbox (instructions by email; send photo evidence)
- Close the bedroom door and leave it unlocked (Occupancy Agreement)
- Take detailed photos: floor, walls, wardrobe top, bathroom, under bed
- Email photos + your Australian bank details to [email protected]
Please take everything with you. Anything of value we'll set aside and contact you about so you can collect it. Rubbish and anything clearly discarded is thrown out — we can't store an empty room's leftovers indefinitely, and the removal fee (around $150) covers clearing it. Items that came with the room belong to the property; if they're missing we charge the replacement cost.
Security Deposit Return
Refunded within 14 days of your move-out (except over the 15 December – 14 January shutdown — see Giving Notice) — here's how to get all of it back.
What can be deducted
- Cleaning if the room isn't left in acceptable condition ($100)
- Repairs for damage you caused (beyond fair wear and tear)
- Unpaid rent or outstanding charges
- Replacing locks or security devices altered without consent ($150)
- Removal fee for belongings left behind ($150)
- Break fee if you departed before your agreement end date
Standard charges reflect what CDA actually pays suppliers and contractors. You may request the supporting invoice or receipt for any charge after departure.
How to protect your full deposit
4 weeks' written notice avoids extra rent liability.
Follow the full checklist and avoid the $100 fee.
Repair minor damage before your inspection.
Lost key = $70; call-outs and lock changes cost more.
Photographic evidence protects you in any dispute.
The deposit can never be your last rent payment.
No refund within 14 days? Email [email protected] for a status update. Disagree with a deduction? Tell us within 14 days and we'll review it before it's final. If that doesn't work, either party can take it to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).
Charge Schedule
Standard cost-recovery charges if items aren't left clean or undamaged. Supporting invoices available on request. Fair wear and tear is never charged.
These figures come from Annexure 3 of your Occupancy Agreement and are maximums — where the actual cost is lower, that's what you're charged. The full schedule, including appliances and pest control, is in the House Rules.
The charges you're most likely to see
| Item | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Room cleaning — room not left to standard | $100 |
| Carpet cleaning | $120 |
| Dirty curtains / blinds | $120 |
| Fridge space cleaning | $100 |
| Room deodorisation | $200 – $600 |
| Personal items left behind | $150 |
| Lost room key | $70 |
| Mattress protector | $50 |
| Mattress | $300 |
Furnishings, appliances, building damage and pest control are all listed in the House Rules — that's the version we keep up to date. Annexure 3 of your signed agreement is the authority; if anything differs, your agreement prevails.