At the end of a tenancy, most renters want one thing: to get their rental bond refunded quickly and in full. While the bond refund process can feel unclear, understanding how a bond repayment claim works and what’s expected of you can make claiming your bond far more straightforward.
In this guide, we break down what a rental bond is, how the bond refund and claim process works, and the practical steps you can take to improve your chances of a smooth, stress-free bond return.
TL;DR How to get your rental bond back fast
- Give the correct notice and follow your tenancy agreement
- Pay all outstanding rent and invoices before vacating
- Fix any maintenance issues as they arise, not at the end
- Clean the property thoroughly to avoid bond refund delays
- Attend the final property inspection to resolve issues early
- Submit your bond refund or bond repayment claim promptly
- Use the correct claim for the refund of the bond money form
- If there’s a dispute, you can challenge deductions and provide evidence
By understanding how the bond refund process works and submitting a complete bond claim on time, you can significantly improve your chances of getting your rental bond back in full and without stress.
How does a bond refund work?
A rental bond is a payment made by a tenant at the start of a tenancy and acts as a security deposit against unpaid rent, damage or breaches of the tenancy agreement. Once paid, the bond is lodged by the property manager or landlord with the relevant state or territory Bond Authority within the legally required timeframe, where it is held in a trust account for the duration of the tenancy.
When the tenancy ends, and the property is vacated, a bond refund or bond repayment claim can be submitted. If the tenant has met their obligations, including paying all rent, leaving the property in an acceptable condition and complying with the tenancy agreement, the bond is typically refunded in full. Where there is disagreement over deductions, the bond may be held until the claim is resolved.
How to make reclaiming your bond simple and stress-free
Provide sufficient notice to your landlord
Always provide enough notice to your landlord or real estate agent before moving out. This will help them to find new tenants and prepare the property for inspection. Not to mention, it will put you in their good books when the time comes to hand over your keys. Keep in mind that if you break the lease early and haven’t paid the break fee, you might be liable to have it taken out of your bond. For these reasons, always notify your landlord in writing of your impending move within the given timeframe outlined in your contract.
Don't leave cleaning to the end
The simplest action to make sure your landlord is satisfied at the final inspection is to keep things clean and well-maintained from the beginning. It's easy when you start a tenancy to put cleaning on the back burner, safe in the knowledge that you'll have time for it later.
Maintaining a clean household, whether you're living alone, with family, or in shared accommodation, only becomes more difficult when you neglect it. If things get out of hand, you can bring in professional cleaning help. The costs of household services however - which have risen almost 2 percent in the last year - can add up, leaving you opening your wallet just to try and get money back.
Follow your tenancy agreement
For better or worse, everything required of you is laid out in your tenancy agreement; the legal document you signed at the beginning of your stay. Before scheduling your final inspection, carefully review your agreement, checking off your obligations.
Fix issues as they arise
If you’re wondering how to refund your rental bond, just remember that your rental property will need to be returned in the same conditions as you received it (less wear and tear). For example, if a latch on the door has come loose or a window is broken, don’t wait until you move out so that the landlord has to fix it. Let your landlord know immediately and repair it or pay to get it fixed. It is also a good idea to take time-stamped photos of the property and include pictures of any cracks, broken items, or missing fittings to send to your property manager. Please refer to your condition report if you have any queries.
Attend your final property inspection
Before you claim your rental deposit back, most landlords or property managers will have a pre-vacate inspection. This allows them to get a better idea of the property’s condition and to inspect any issues or make any repairs before you move out. It’s worth attending this final property inspection so that you can address any issues that come up and hand over any relevant household items.
Complete all rental payments/invoices
Before you move out, make sure that all your rental payments and invoices are settled. This is the final step in getting your rental bond refund. If you don’t complete all rental payments, you risk getting blacklisted on the tenancy database. This can negatively affect your future chances of applying for a rental property.
How to submit a claim for refund of bond money
To begin the bond refund process, a bond repayment claim must be submitted once the tenancy has ended and the property has been vacated. In most cases, the claim is lodged online through your state or territory’s Bond Authority, either by the tenant, the property manager, or jointly by both parties.
Fight for your rights
In most cases, the landlord will be satisfied with the state of the property and the bond will be refunded within 2-3 weeks. If you feel your obligations as a tenant have been met but the landlord disagrees, there are formal dispute resolution processes in place to help you present and resolve your claim. However, as James Bennett from the Tenants Union of Victoria says, "Unfortunately, tenants are often unaware of their rights or are reluctant to enforce the rights they do have for fear of possible reprisal."
States vary in terms of which agency handles bond disputes, but the procedure remains mostly the same. The tenant will be notified by the agency of the landlord's claim, and have a prescribed amount of time (usually 7-14 days) to respond. If you think your bond claim may be disputed, it pays to read up on the laws particular to your state or territory.
Need help managing or ending a tenancy?
Whether you’re starting or ending a tenancy, LJ Hooker can help ensure the process runs smoothly from start to finish. Get expert support managing tenancies, inspections, and bond refunds with LJ Hooker’s experienced property management team.
DISCLAIMER - The information provided is for guidance and informational purposes only and does not replace independent business, legal and financial advice which we strongly recommend. Whilst the information is considered true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information provided. LJ Hooker will not accept responsibility or liability for any reliance on the blog information, including but not limited to, the accuracy, currency or completeness of any information or links.
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