Bond information changes include if:

• a tenant changes
• a landlord or property manager changes
• contact details of a tenant, landlord or property manager change
• a name is legally changed, or
• the address for service changes (this is the address of the property in the tenancy agreement).

Updating bond information by the due date

Tenants, landlords or their property managers must let:

• Tenancy Services know within 10 working days of when the change happened
• the other party (that is, the landlord, property manager, or tenant) know about the change.

Interpretation: working days — Residential Tenancy Act 1986(external link)

Why bond information must be updated

It is important to keep the bond information up to date. This means it will be faster to process a refund of the bond when someone applies for it.

Tenant changes

If a tenant moves in or moves out during the tenancy, you need to let us know as it can affect the bond record.

When a tenant moves in

We need to know when a new tenant moves in if:

• they are on the tenancy agreement, and
• they pay a bond.

The ‘Change of tenant form — new tenant’ form must be completed and signed by:

• the landlord
• each new tenant (up to 4 new tenants can fill in their details)
• each continuing tenant (these are tenants who will keep living at the property).

Change of tenant - new tenant form [PDF, 532 KB]

When a tenant moves out

 We need to know when a tenant moves out if:

• they paid a bond, and
• at least 1 of the original tenants continues to rent the property.

The ‘Change of tenant form — departing tenant’ form must be completed and signed by:

• the landlord
• the departing tenant (if there is more than 1, each person must complete their own form).

If the departing tenant wants their bond back, a bond refund can be organised.

Change of tenant - departing tenant form [PDF, 444 KB]

If all tenants move out

If all tenants move out, a ‘Change of tenant form — departing tenant’ form does not need to be completed. A bond refund will need to be organised for the tenants who have paid bond.

Refunding a bond

Where to send the forms

The landlord or the tenant can send a form by email or post to Tenancy Services.

If you email, you will get an automatic reply.
Email:
bonds@tenancy.govt.nz

Postal:
Tenancy Services
PO Box 50445
Porirua 5240

Landlord or property manager changes

If a landlord or property manager changes, we need to know. The bond information must be updated even if the change is permanent or temporary.

Find out what to do if the landlord or property manager changes.

Change of landlord

Contact details change

If the tenant, landlord or property manager change their contact details, they must contact Tenancy Services.

Contact us

Name legally changes

If the tenant, landlord or property manager legally change their name, they must provide proof to Tenancy Services.

They can provide documentation from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) showing their change of name. They can email or post this to Tenancy Services.

Email:
bonds@tenancy.govt.nz

Post:
Tenancy Services
PO Box 50-445
Porirua 5240

Address for service change

An address for service is an address where landlords or tenants receive notices and other documents about the tenancy.

Find out more about an address for service and how to tell us about this change.

Address for service