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Top 5 tips for bond refunds
1 February 2022
Prevent issues with getting your bond back.
Read these tips for tenants and landlords.
- During the tenancy, stay on top of repairs and keep the place clean and tidy
Tenants should let the landlord know as soon as possible if anything needs fixing, and keep the home reasonably clean and tidy. Landlords should inspect the property during the tenancy, and fix any maintenance issues as quickly as possible. - Do a property inspection a few weeks before the final day of the tenancy
That way there will be time to sort out any problems before you move. - Do a final inspection together
If you can’t do the inspection together, you should each do your own. It’s a good idea to take photos. If possible, the final inspection should happen once the tenant has moved all their belongings out and finished cleaning the property. - Bring a bond refund form to the final inspection
If the inspection shows everything’s in order, complete the bond refund form and sign it. Don’t sign a blank form.
If there’s outstanding costs, the tenant and landlord can agree to split the bond. Part of the bond is to be refunded to the landlord to cover their costs and the rest is refunded to the tenant.
If you disagree about a refund amount, work together to come to an agreement. If you can’t agree, you can use the dispute services, like mediation. Mediation is where someone from Tenancy Services can help you both come to a decision.
To avoid delays in getting your bond refunded, make sure the form is fully completed. This means that it is signed by both the landlord and the tenants (and that these signatures match those that were on the bond lodgement form) and that it includes the tenant’s bank account numbers.
You can still send in a bond refund form that isn’t complete, but this will mean there will be delays in getting the bond back because the Tenancy Services team will need time to get this information from you. - Send the bond refund form to Tenancy Services as soon as possible
Often tenants need that money to pay the bond for their new tenancy. Landlords should send the completed bond refund form to Tenancy Services as soon as possible, but tenants can send the form to Tenancy Services too.
If you’re emailing it to Tenancy Services, you’ll get a reply saying that Tenancy Services have got it and how long it will take to process (if the form is fully completed). Tenancy Services will contact you if they need more information from you.
For more information about bond refunds, and to download a bond refund form, see here.
https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/rent-bond-and-bills/bond/refunding-bond/