Returning the bond
Release or claim a rental bond through your state bond authority after move-out. State portals, dispute paths, and how Propero condition reports support your claim.
At the end of a tenancy, the bond you collected at move-in must be released or claimed through your state or territory bond authority. Propero records the bond amount when you set up the tenant, and an Outgoing condition report gives you evidence for bond discussions, but the refund itself happens outside the app, on your local authority's portal or forms.
General information only, not legal advice. Rules differ by state and change over time. Confirm with your bond authority or a qualified professional before acting.
Before you lodge a claim
These steps apply in every state, though deadlines and portals differ.
- Final inspection. Walk the property at move-out and compare it to the ingoing condition report. Tenants should be invited to attend where possible.
- Agree on the amount. If the property is left in good order with no rent owing, the full bond is usually refunded. If you intend to claim for cleaning, damage, or unpaid rent, discuss deductions with the tenant first.
- Gather evidence. Keep photos, invoices, quotes, communications, and your approved condition reports. An outgoing report compared to the ingoing baseline is especially useful.
- Lodge with the bond authority. Either you or the tenant can often start the claim online. Both parties may need to agree before funds are released, depending on the state.
Fair wear and tear (faded paint, minor scuffs on floorboards) generally cannot be claimed. Damage from negligence or misuse usually can. If you disagree, most states have a tribunal or dispute path.
New South Wales (NSW)
Authority: NSW Fair Trading / Rental Bonds Online (RBO)
Phone: 13 32 20 (Fair Trading) · 1800 990 724 (RBO support)
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Rental Bonds Online (landlord login) | rbo.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au |
| Lodge a residential bond claim (landlords and agents) | service.nsw.gov.au |
| Release or claim a bond refund (guide) | nsw.gov.au |
| RBO support email | rbosupport@customerservice.nsw.gov.au |
Either party can lodge a claim in RBO. If the tenant claims the full bond, you have 14 days to respond or dispute. If you claim with deductions and the tenant disagrees, the bond stays held until NCAT resolves it or you reach agreement. Non-consented claims require you to give the tenant the exit condition report and supporting documents within 7 days.
Queensland (QLD)
Authority: Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA)
Phone: 1300 366 311 · Email: helpdesk@rta.qld.gov.au
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| RTA Web Services (login) | digital.rta.qld.gov.au |
| Online bond refund | rta.qld.gov.au |
| Understanding a Notice of Claim | rta.qld.gov.au |
After a refund is lodged, all parties receive a Fast Track email. Everyone has 48 hours to agree; if all agree, the refund can land within hours. If someone disagrees or does not respond, the process moves to a Notice of Claim with a 14-day response window. Disputes go through RTA dispute resolution, then QCAT if unresolved. You cannot lodge before the tenancy has ended and the vacate date has passed.
Victoria (VIC)
Authority: Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA)
Phone: 1300 137 164
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| RTBA Online | rentalbonds.vic.gov.au |
| Bond claims and refunds | consumer.vic.gov.au |
| Resolving bond disputes | consumer.vic.gov.au |
| Getting started with RTBA Online (rental providers) | consumer.vic.gov.au |
| Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) | rdrv.vic.gov.au |
| Bond overview | consumer.vic.gov.au |
Rental providers must be registered for RTBA Online to start most claims. All parties confirm via email or text link before the bond pays out (often within one business day when everyone agrees). Claims should be started within 10 business days of the agreement ending. Disputes may go to RDRV mediation, then VCAT.
South Australia (SA)
Authority: Consumer and Business Services (CBS)
Phone: 131 882
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Residential Bonds Online (RBO) portal | cbs.sa.gov.au |
| Bond refunds overview | sa.gov.au |
| Settling a bond dispute | cbs.sa.gov.au |
| Bond refund form (paper) | cbs.sa.gov.au (PDF) |
| Bonds FAQs | cbs.sa.gov.au |
| CBS general enquiry | portal.cbs.sa.gov.au |
All parties must agree before release in most cases. Undisputed refunds through RBO typically process within 5 working days. Non-consented claims trigger notification and a 14-day dispute window; unresolved matters go to SACAT. Claims made more than 12 months after the tenancy ended must go straight to SACAT.
Western Australia (WA)
Authority: Department of Commerce / BondsOnline
Phone: 1300 30 40 54 · Email: consumer@lgirs.wa.gov.au
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| BondsOnline | bonds.commerce.wa.gov.au |
| Releasing or claiming a bond (bond disposal) | consumerprotection.wa.gov.au |
| Disputes about bonds | consumerprotection.wa.gov.au |
| Joint application disposal form (paper) | consumerprotection.wa.gov.au (PDF) |
| Lodge a Consumer Protection complaint | consumerprotection.wa.gov.au |
Landlords usually start Request Disposal in BondsOnline. All parties must approve the eTransaction; if agreement is not reached within 28 days, the process lapses and must be restarted or taken to the Magistrates Court.
Tasmania (TAS)
Authority: Rental Deposit Authority / MyBond
Phone: 1300 654 499 · Email: RDA@justice.tas.gov.au
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| MyBond (login) | mybond.justice.tas.gov.au |
| Claiming a bond | cbos.tas.gov.au |
| Guide to the Residential Tenancy Commissioner (PDF) | cbos.tas.gov.au |
The managing party must start a claim within 3 working days of receiving the keys. Tenants have 10 days to approve or dispute. Disputes go to the Residential Tenancy Commissioner. Payout after approval typically takes 3 to 5 bank days.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Authority: ACT Revenue Office (Rental Bonds)
Phone: (02) 6207 0028
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Rental bonds portal | revenue.act.gov.au |
| How to lodge a bond refund | revenue.act.gov.au |
| Access Canberra renting overview | accesscanberra.act.gov.au |
Bonds are lodged and refunded through the ACT Revenue Office portal. See the portal user guides on the revenue site for step-by-step refund instructions.
Northern Territory (NT)
Authority: NT Consumer Affairs (no central bond authority)
Phone: 1800 019 319 · 08 8999 5511
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Residential tenancies | consumeraffairs.nt.gov.au |
| Bonds and security deposits factsheet (PDF) | consumeraffairs.nt.gov.au |
| When you are owed bond money | nt.gov.au |
| A guide to renting in the NT | consumeraffairs.nt.gov.au |
There is no central bond institution in the NT. Bonds are held in trust by the landlord in a Northern Territory bank account. Refunds are arranged directly between you and the tenant. See the factsheet and Consumer Affairs pages above for your obligations.
How this fits with Propero
| In Propero | Outside Propero |
|---|---|
| Bond amount recorded at tenant setup | Bond lodged with your state authority at the start of the tenancy |
| Outgoing condition report for move-out evidence | Final inspection and exit condition report signed with the tenant |
| Record Tenant Notice or End Tenancy for lease end dates | Bond claim lodged on the authority portal after vacate |
| Propero Chat can answer tenancy law questions | Tribunal applications and formal dispute resolution |
For government forms and guides when starting a tenancy (lease, bond lodgement, condition report), see Starting a tenancy resources.
Related guides
Renewals & ending a tenancy
Record Tenant Notice or End Tenancy on Lease Overview, how each affects the rent schedule, and when a re-letting ban keeps advertising locked.
Starting a tenancy resources
State and territory guides for the four essentials when privately renting: tenant guide, lease agreement, bond lodgement, and condition report.