Step 1 – Know Your Rights
In New South Wales when you rent a place to live, you will usually be asked to pay a rental bond. A bond is not compulsory.
The rules around bonds are set out in the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 and Residential Tenancies Regulation 2019, the bond is required to be held by the NSW Fair Trading.
General requirements of rental provider/landlord
- It is an offence for a rental provider (landlord, managing agent, etc.) to request you pay a bond prior to signing a tenancy lease agreement.
- The bond must be lodged within 10 business days of your landlord receiving the bond.
- The bond must be lodged within 10 business days after the end of the month of your agent receiving the bond.
- If you require help with your bond in the private market, you can apply through your local DCJ Housing office.
How much is the rental bond?
- It is an offence for a rental provider (landlord, managing agent, or similar) to charge more than the maximum bond set out in the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 and Residential Tenancies Regulation 2019.
- For General Tenancies
- The maximum bond is equal to 4 weeks’ rent.
- Example: My weekly rent is $500. My maximum bond is $2,000.
- The maximum bond is equal to 4 weeks’ rent.
- You are not required to pay an additional bond when the rent is increased or if a new tenant moves in.
Does my rental provider keep my bond?
- No, the rental provider/landlord must lodge the bond with NSW Fair Trading.
- The rental provider/landlord (or the person you paid your bond to) must give you;
- A receipt as soon as they receive the bond payment – Unless the details of the payment have been recorded in the tenancy agreement
- A ‘Bond Lodgment Form’ with details about
- Your name and the name of the rental provider/lessor.
- The name and signature of the person receiving the bond
- The address of the rental premises
- The date the bond has been paid
- The amount of bond that has been paid
TOP TIP: Save your rental receipt and bond lodgment in your Rent Rabbit TenantVault™
Will I receive notification from the RTA about my bond lodgment?
- Yes, NSW Fair Trading will send you a notification of your bond within 2 weeks.
- If you do not receive notice from NSW Fair Trading, please contact them on 13 32 20. Have your tenancy agreement ready.
- If the landlord/managing rental provider does not deposit the bond with NSW Fair Trading, they can be fined up to $2,200.
TOP TIP: Save your bond receipt in your Rent Rabbit TenantVault™
Can my bond be increased?
- In NSW, you are not required to pay an additional bond when the rent is increased or if a new tenant moves in.
Bond refunds and release of the bond
- When you move out if you do not leave the premises clean, have caused damage, or are behind in rent, your rental provider/lessor may be entitled to claim monies from your bond.
- You do not have to agree with your lessor/rental provider on the refund. If you do not agree, you can lodge a Claim for Bond Refund with NSW Fair Trading this will notify the other party that they have received a claim.
- They must action this within 14-days otherwise your bond will be returned.
- If the rental provider/landlord wishes to make a claim on your bond, they must give you (within 7 days of making the claim.
- A copy of the condition report at the end of the tenancy agreement
- Copies of estimates, quotes, invoices and receipts for works that they are claiming.
- NSW Fair Trading is responsible for the bond dispute process.
- If everyone agrees all parties can fill and sign the Claim for a Bond refund form.
- Remember, signatories must match the original documentation submitted.
- You will receive a cheque in the mail or deposited into your nominated bank account
Step 2 – TIP OF THE DAY: Save your receipts and lodgment history in your Rent Rabbit profile
- Log in to your www.rentrabbit.com.au account
- Select “Dashboard” from your drop-down menu
- Select the TenantVault™ option from your taskbar
- Upload your email and your new contract for safekeeping

