Lodging a rental bond
Using Rental Bonds Online
If you're a tenant, you have the option to lodge your bond directly with NSW Fair Trading through the Rental Bonds Online (RBO) service. Your landlord or agent is required by law to offer you the RBO service before accepting your bond.
To use the RBO service, the landlord or agent must first send you an email inviting you to open your own RBO account. Once you've set up your account, you can pay your bond using a credit card or BPAY.
Direct to landlord/agent
If you prefer, you can pay your bond directly to your landlord or agent – it's your choice. They'll then lodge your bond on your behalf with NSW Fair Trading. They must provide you with a receipt, or record the payment details on the tenancy agreement.
Check a Rental Bonds Online account
If you have an existing NSW Fair Trading Rental Bonds Online account, you can manage your rental bond online.
As a tenant, you can:
- pay your bond online directly to NSW Fair Trading
- check the status and progress of your bond lodgement or refund
- receive email and SMS notifications about your bond, and
- submit a claim to get your bond money refunded online after your tenancy has ended.
Visit the NSW Fair Trading website to learn more about a Rental Bonds Online account.
Getting your bond back at end of tenancy
At the end of your tenancy, the agent or landlord will inspect the property and determine your bond refund.
You may get only part of your bond back if:
- you owe the landlord or agent money, or
- there is damage or other expenses relating to the property.
If you paid the bond directly to your landlord or agent, they will submit the claim for you or you can apply for a rental bond refund using your Rental Bonds Online account.
If you submit a claim for the refund of your bond, a Notice of Claim will be emailed to the landlord or agent.
Offline claim
If the bond was not lodged online you can download the Claim for refund of bond money – PDF and send the completed claim form:
- by email to bondclaims@customerservice.nsw.gov.au, or
- by post to Locked Bag 9000, Grafton NSW 2460 or
- in person at any Service NSW Centre.
Enquiries about rental bonds
If you have questions or feedback about rental bonds contact Fair Trading.