Example of long and short content
A rental bond is money paid by the tenant as a guarantee in case they break the rent agreement.
A landlord or agent can ask the tenant for a rental bond before they rent a premises.
If the weekly rent is less than $300, no more than four weeks rent can be charged as a rental bond. There is no limit if the weekly rent is more than $300.
All rental bonds are looked after by the Rental Advice Board (RAB).
- The landlord or agent must deposit the rental bond with the RAB within ten days of payment by the tenant.
- The landlord or agent must also fill in a Bond Lodgement Form (Form 2) and send it into the RAB at the same time.
- The RAB will send an Official Receipt for the money to both the tenant and the landlord or agent.
- The Official Receipt contains the rental bond number. Use this number when making enquiries about the bond.
What happens to the rental bond when the tenant moves out?
- The tenant and the landlord or agent can apply to the RAB for a refund if they both agree the bond should be refunded.
- The RAB will either pay the rental bond directly to the tenant or the tenant can ask the RAB to transfer the bond money to a new rented house or flat.
For information about what to do when the tenant and landlord or agent do not agree on how the bond should be refunded go to the Refund Disputes page.