Bonds
There are 2 types of bonds a landlord can charge — a general bond and a pet bond. Find out more about these types of bonds and the bond process.
What a general bond is
A general bond is money the landlord can charge a tenant at the start of a tenancy. The tenant pays the bond, and the landlord lodges (deposits) it with Tenancy Services who hold it during the tenancy. It is used at the end of the tenancy to cover any money that is owed.
If there is no money owed at the end of the tenancy, tenants should get a refund of their bond.
What a pet bond is
A pet bond is money the landlord can charge a tenant if they have given consent for the tenant to keep a pet in the property. The tenant pays the bond, and the landlord lodges (deposits) it with Tenancy Services who hold it during the tenancy. It is used to cover any pet-related damage that is more than fair wear and tear.
If there is no pet-related damage, tenants should get a bond refund when their tenancy ends or when they stop keeping a pet (whichever comes first).
In this section
Landlords can charge a bond to cover potential costs during the tenancy. Find out about the types of bonds landlords can charge and what each one is for.
Landlords can use Bond Hub to manage their bonds online. Find out what you can do in Bond Hub, how new users can register and how to log in.
If the landlord charges a general bond or a pet bond, or the bond is increased, the tenant must pay it. Learn what to check before paying a bond, how to pay it, and what happens after it is paid.
In most situations, landlords must lodge a general bond, pet bond or bond top-up payment with Tenancy Services. Find out when a bond does not have to be lodged, the timeframe to lodge it and how to lodge it.
If the landlord increases the rent, they can ask the tenant to pay a bond top-up. This can be for a general bond and pet bond. If the landlord permanently decreases the rent, a portion of the general bond or pet bond will need to be refunded to the tenant.
Tenants and landlords must let Tenancy Services know if there is a change to bond information.
Find out about the types of bonds that can be refunded and the rules around each one.
Read our tips on how to prevent problems with bonds during a tenancy.
There are several transactions you can complete if you are a landlord using Bond Hub. Find out what transactions you can complete.
Tenants can view or change their contact details in Bond Hub
Landlords can use their property management software (PMS) if it is integrated with our system. They can lodge a bond, lodge a bond top-up, and arrange a bond refund.
