When tenants can get a general bond refund

At the end of the tenancy, landlords and tenants can do a property check.

The tenant will get a full refund of their general bond if the property:

• is in a reasonable condition and meets other requirements in the tenancy agreement
• has no damage, other than fair wear and tear
• has no repairs that are required.

For more information on the types of damage and who is responsible for it, check the section ‘Damage and repairs’.

Damage and repairs

Pet-related damage

If there is a pet at the property that causes damage, all tenants on the tenancy agreement are responsible for paying costs.

If a pet bond was paid and this is not enough to cover costs, general bond can be used from all tenants who are on the tenancy agreement.

If the total amount of pet bond and general bond is not enough to cover costs, the tenants can agree to pay the landlord the difference.

Pet-related damage

How much of the bond can be refunded

If there is any money owed, the landlord will get the amount that is owed, and the tenant will get the rest.

For example:

• The total general bond the tenant paid at the start of tenancy was $2,000.
• There is property damage worth $1,500.
• The landlord will get a refund of $1,500 and the tenant will get a refund of $500.

If the money owed is more than the general bond amount, the landlord will get a refund of the total bond amount to cover the costs. The tenant will not get a refund.

A pet bond can also be used to help cover the rest of the costs if:

• the landlord and tenant agree to this, or
• the Tenancy Tribunal has ordered it.

When a tenant needs to apply for a refund

The tenant will need to apply for a bond refund from Tenancy Services or sort the refund privately. It depends on their situation.

If 1 tenant moves out

If 1 tenant is leaving but the tenancy is continuing, the departing tenant does not need to apply for a bond refund.

The tenants and landlord should agree on how to refund that tenant’s share of the bond. It could be that:

• the remaining or new tenant pays the departing tenant directly, or
• the landlord arranges a refund to the departing tenant and then the new tenant can pay their share to the landlord.

All tenants and the landlord must also complete a ‘Change of tenant’ form at the same time.

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

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

If all tenants move out

If all tenants are moving out, they can apply for a general bond refund.

The refund can be paid to 1 tenant or split between many tenants. A tenant can also choose to transfer their bond to a new landlord if they agree.

How to apply for a bond refund

To apply for a bond refund, follow the steps in the section 'How to apply for a bond refund'.

How to apply for a bond refund