Bond money is returned to tenants at the end of their tenancy unless the landlord has a reason to make a claim. 

On this page:

• Tips on getting the bond back
• Reasons for claiming bond money
• Releasing the bond
  • Online
  • Other ways to submit a bond form
• When a person cannot be contacted
• Disputes about bonds
  • Residential tenancies
  • Residential parks long-stay tenancy
• Getting help

Tips on getting the bond back

A tenant can do a few things to help get their bond money back:

• pay rent up to and including end of the agreement or notice period if ending the tenancy early
• remove all furniture and personal items
• repair any damage that is more than ‘fair wear and tear’
• clean your rental property to match the original condition when you moved in
• complete and sign off a final property condition report with the landlord.
• return all keys and other items the landlord gave you for the property when you moved in.

Comparing the property condition reports from the start and end of the tenancy can help figure out if something is fair wear and tear or damage.

The landlords and tenant/s must complete a bond release form. The form shows if the bond is to be returned to the tenant or if the landlord keeps some of it.

Make sure all the names and amounts are correct before signing or approving the form online. Never sign a blank or partly completed form.

A bond cannot be paid back if a signature is missing. If you need help see if a person cannot be contacted.

If you or tenant/landlord don’t agree how the bond will be paid see bond disputes.

Reasons for claiming bond money

Tenants are refunded the bond money unless a landlord can make a claim for

• damage to the home caused by the tenant/s or their pet
• any rent or charges the tenant owes
• property that is left dirty and needs to be professionally cleaned

Landlords can not claim for fair wear and tear.

Releasing a bond

Landlords usually start the process to release the bond.

• Real estate agents must use BondsOnline
• Private landlords can use BondsOnline or paper-based forms
• Tenants can start the process with the paper-based forms.

Online

BondsOnline is the fastest way for a landlord to release a bond.

Real estate agents must use BondsOnline, private landlords don’t have to.

Landlords will need to create a My Account and then apply for access to BondsOnline. Once approved, you will be able to use BondsOnline.

Other ways to submit a bond form

Private landlords and tenants can start a bond release in one of the following ways:

• Bonds e-forms  complete the form online to print and sign
• Download a PDF to print and fill out offline.

Then submit from one of the options below:

When a person cannot be contacted

If a tenant or landlord can’t be contacted, the bond will not be able to be refunded straight away.

To release a bond, you must:

Residential tenancy: apply to the Magistrate’s Court for a court order to get the bond released.

Residential parks: apply to the State Administrative Tribunal for a decision on how to release the bond.

If a person dies during a tenancy, please contact us on 1300 85 38 29 for advice. 

Disputes about bonds

Consumer Protection can help landlords and tenants agree about how the bond should be paid. Contact Consumer Protection by calling 1300 30 40 54 or fill out the online complaint form.  If you still disagree after Consumer Protection has tried to help, you can apply to the court depending on the type of tenancy you have.

Residential tenancies

A tenant or landlord can apply for a court order. They will need to lodge a Form 6 Application for Disposal of Bond Money  on the Magistrates Court website. 

The court will send a copy to your tenant/landlord, who has three options:

1. agree on a bond payment.
2. dispute the application within seven days from the court date being set. They will need to lodge a Magistrates Court Form 5 Notice of Intention to Dispute Application for Disposal of Bond Money.
3. ignore the notice, the court may then issue an order to release the bond after seven days.

If a dispute goes to court at the end of a tenancy, the magistrate will decide on how the bond money will be paid back.

Visit the Magistrates Court website or call 9425 2222 for more information.

A simpler way is coming in 2025: Commissioner decisions:

A landlord or tenant will be able to apply for a Commissioner determination. The bond claim is reviewed and a decision made on how it will be paid out, without having to go to Court.

Residential parks long-stay tenancy

A landlord or tenant can apply to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) for a decision on how to release the security bond. More information about the SAT process visit the SAT page on Residential Parks.

Getting help

If you need any help with releasing a bond, please call Bonds Administration on 1300 85 38 29 for advice.