Getting your bond back
Learn the steps to get your bond back at the end of a lease, and what you can do if there's a disagreement.
Final rent and bond refund
You need to pay the rent up to and including the day your lease ends, even if you've moved out before this date.
The bond you paid at the beginning of your tenancy will usually be refunded in full, unless:
- you owe the landlord or agent money, or
- there is damage to the property.
In that case, you may get only part of the bond back.
If you paid the bond directly to your landlord or agent, they will submit the claim for you. Otherwise, you can apply directly to NSW Fair Trading to get your bond back. Once the landlord or agent accepts your claim for the return of the bond, it will be refunded within 2 working days.
Apply to get your rental bond back at NSW Fair Trading.
Claims against the bond
The landlord or agent can make a claim against the bond for items like:
- unpaid rent
- repairing damage to the property that is beyond reasonable wear and tear
- unpaid water usage charges
- any fees from breaking the lease early
- the cost of cleaning if the property wasn’t cleaned
- the cost of having the locks changed if keys weren’t returned.
If you agree with the claim, you won't need to do anything. Any bond minus the claimed amount will be returned to you.
If there’s a disagreement about the bond
You can submit a claim with NSW Fair Trading to get your bond back, even if you and the landlord or agent disagree.
You’ll receive payment 14 days after your claim if the landlord or agent does not dispute it.
If they do dispute your claim, they’ll have to apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal within 14 days. The tribunal will then decide how the bond will be paid.
If you disagree with a claim against the bond
If the landlord or agent makes a claim for all or part of the bond without your agreement, they have 7 days to provide you with:
- a copy of the condition report that was completed at the end of your lease
- copies of any estimate quotes, invoices or receipts for the work they’re claiming.
You’ll also receive written notice from NSW Fair Trading. If you want to dispute the claim before it's paid, you’ll need to:
- apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal within 14 days for an order that all or part of the bond will be paid to you, using the rental bond application form
- let NSW Fair Trading know in writing that you’ve submitted an application to the tribunal.
The tribunal will then decide how the bond will be paid.
If the claim for bond from the landlord or agent has already been paid, you have 6 months to apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a full or partial bond refund.
Apply to dispute a bond claim at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.