Apply to get your residential rental bond back (tenants)

Introduction

At the end of your tenancy the agent or landlord will inspect the property, and your bond refund will be determined. If you're both in agreement over the amount, you can submit a claim using your Rental Bonds Online (RBO) account. The landlord/agent will be emailed a Notice of Claim, and you'll receive your refund within 2 working days of their agreeing to the claim.

If you and the landlord/agent are not in agreement over the refund amount:

• you can still submit your claim using RBO. The landlord/agent then has 14 days to apply for a hearing with the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) to contest the claim. If they don't do so within the 14 days, the refund amount you claimed will be paid to you.
• the landlord/agent can submit a claim, and you will be emailed a Notice of Claim. You can then either:
  • agree to the amount
  • within 14 days, inform Fair Trading that you've applied to NCAT for a hearing to dispute the amount, or
  • take no action, and after 14 days the bond will be paid out as per the landlord's claim.

Eligibility

• tenants with an RBO account
• for shared tenancies, the principal tenant.

If you don't have an RBO account you'll need to complete a Claim for refund of bond money – PDF.

What you need

• your RBO login ID and password
• your mobile phone.

How to apply

1. Select the 'Apply online' button.
2. Log in to your RBO account.
3. Access your bond details.
4. Select 'Submit a claim'.
5. Follow the online instructions.
6. You'll receive an SMS code to verify your claim.

More information

The landlord/agent can claim costs against your bond, such as:

• repairs, if the premises has been damaged (other than 'fair wear and tear')
• cleaning, if you've left any part of the premises not reasonably clean
• the replacement of locks or security devices
• unpaid rent
• other charges you may owe under the tenancy.