Chhabra v Mohindra (Residential Tenancies)

The case of Chhabra v Mohindra was heard by the Residential Tenancies Tribunal, with the lessors seeking the return of their rental bond from the tenants. The tenants, in response, claimed that deductions should be made from the bond due to disrepair and other issues with the property. The Tribunal was required to assess the condition of the property, whether the tenants had complied with their obligations, and the legitimacy of any deductions claimed by the tenants. The Tribunal found that the tenants had not breached their lease by making certain alterations to the property, but did find that the property had not been returned in the condition required by the lease agreement. The Tribunal ordered that the majority of the bond be returned to the tenants, with a deduction for the cost of cleaning and repairs. The Tribunal also found that the tenants were not entitled to any deductions from the bond for the claimed disrepair, as these issues were either pre-existing or not of a severity warranting a deduction from the bond.