My landlord won't return my bond — what are my rights?
Rental bonds are protected by law in Australia. If your landlord is withholding yours unfairly or refusing to return it, you have legal remedies.
Key fact: Your bond must be held in a statutory trust account. Your landlord can only make deductions for unpaid rent or damage beyond fair wear and tear.
When must your bond be returned?
✓ Your bond must be returned within 30 days of the lease ending (varies slightly by state).
✓ If there are deductions, your landlord must provide itemized reasons in writing.
✓ Deductions are only valid for: unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, or cleaning costs (if agreed).
⚠️ Your landlord cannot: Charge for normal wear and tear, or make deductions without written notice.
Is your landlord's deduction fair?
✓ Fair deductions
- • Unpaid rent (with itemized breakdown)
- • Damage beyond normal wear (holes in walls, broken fixtures)
- • Professional cleaning (if you left place dirty, not just lived-in)
- • Repair costs (holes, stains, damage caused by you)
✗ Unfair deductions (you can challenge these)
- • Worn carpet or paint (normal wear and tear)
- • Faded furniture or minor scuffs
- • General cleaning if place was reasonably clean
- • Deductions made without written notice
- • Amounts that exceed actual damage costs
What to do now
Get details in writing
Email your landlord or real estate agent asking for an itemized breakdown of the deduction and the reason for each cost.
Check the bond is held in trust
Your bond must be registered with a statutory bond provider (varies by state). Ask for the bond registration details and verify it.
Dispute the deduction (if unfair)
Contact the bond authority in your state. Provide your lease, photos, and evidence showing why the deduction is excessive.
Get a tribunal decision
If you can't agree, the bond authority or tribunal will make a binding decision. Most cases are resolved in 2–4 weeks.
State-by-state bond authorities
Evidence to gather
- ✓ Your lease agreement
- ✓ Bond receipt and registration number
- ✓ Itemized deduction statement from landlord
- ✓ Photos of your bond property (move-in and move-out condition)
- ✓ Any correspondence about repairs or damage
- ✓ Quotes for claimed repair costs
- ✓ Emails or messages disputing the claim
Last reviewed: September 2026. Tenancy law varies by state—check your local bond authority for current details.