All bonds must be managed online through MyBond
Property owners/agents, tenants and deposit contributors must start a bond claim to recover bond monies. The claim must be approved by all parties to authorise the release of bond monies to the other party.
You can claim a bond at the end of the tenancy, when everyone has moved out and returned the keys. An owner/agent must start a claim in MyBond within three days of receiving the keys.
A tenant cannot start a claim in MyBond until three days after returning the keys or until after a reasonable time for the owner/agent to finalise their claim amounts.
There are rules about what can and can’t be claimed from a tenant’s bond. See the Guide to the Residential Tenancy Commissioner (PDF, 952.2 KB).
How to claim a bond
Owner or agent claims
An owner or agent must:
- start a claim in MyBond within three working days of the tenant(s) returning the keys, or
- advise the tenant(s) why they have not yet lodged a claim and when they are intending to do so.
Once a claim is lodged, the tenant(s) will receive a notification including details of what the claim is for. A tenant can then approve or dispute the claim.
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Tenant claims
A tenant may make a claim if:
- the owner/agent has not made a claim within three working days of the tenant handing back the keys or
- the owner/agent has not indicated when they will make a claim.
A tenant must:
- Approve or dispute the claim within 10 days of the owner/agent lodging the claim. If the tenant does not do anything within the 10 day timeframe, the bond may be paid out as claimed by the agent/owner.
- Enter their bank account details so that a payment can be made.
View our with Quick Reference Guide – Claiming a bond (PDF, 296.5 KB)
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Deposit Contributor claims
A Deposit Contributor can:
- Approve or dispute a claim
- Start a claim against their part of the bond if an agent/owner has not done so within 10 days of the keys being handed back.
Once a claim is initiated by a deposit contributor, all parties will receive a notification. They will then have an opportunity to approve or dispute the claim.
When a bond payment is made
The Rental Deposit Authority (the RDA) will pay the bond if bank account details have been provided in MyBond and:
- The tenant approves the claim - if there is a Deposit Contributor portion they must also agree to the claim before it will be paid, or
- The bond amount is awarded in a Determination made by the Residential Tenancy Commissioner (see Disputing a bond claim), or
- An agent or owner does not respond to a tenant or Deposit Contributor’s claim.
When a payment is made, allow three to five days for bank processing times.
If a tenant does not have access to MyBond, they can provide their bank account details directly to the RDA by calling 1300 654 499.
This page has been produced and published by the Consumer Building and Occupational Services Division of the Department of Justice. Although every care has been taken in production, no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy, completeness, or relevance to the user's purpose of the information. Those using it for whatever purpose are advised to verify it with the relevant government department, local government body or other source and to obtain any appropriate professional advice. The Crown, its officers, employees and agents do not accept liability however arising, including liability for negligence, for any loss resulting from the use of or reliance upon the information and/or reliance on its availability at any time.