Reinstatement — restoring a rented commercial or residential unit to its original condition at the end of a lease — comes with strict landlord and management requirements, tight timelines, and often a security deposit on the line.
What reinstatement typically covers
- Removal of partitions, false ceilings and fit-out works
- Making good electrical points and wiring altered during tenancy
- Patching, painting and flooring restoration
- Removal of signage and fixtures
What to look for in a contractor
Experience with your building's management requirements — different landlords and MCSTs have different reinstatement checklists and approval processes.
A clear timeline — reinstatement is almost always time-bound, tied to your lease end date and deposit return.
Electrical and M&E competency — not just general renovation, since reinstatement often involves restoring circuits, lighting points and switchboards to base-build condition.
Transparent, itemised quotes — so there are no surprises close to your handover date.
Plan ahead
Starting reinstatement discussions at least 4–6 weeks before your lease ends gives enough buffer for approvals, works, and any landlord inspection before the deposit is released.