Lessors and Agencies

All bond refunds need to be requested online through the Rental Bonds Portal. You can refer to the User Guides for step by step instructions on how to set up an account for the portal and complete a refund request online.

In addition to the online refund request, you are also required by law to provide the tenant/s with a signed bond release application. You may continue to use the Bond Refund Form for this purpose.

If the whole bond amount is to be refunded to the tenants, they will receive an email notification advising them of this and the bond will be refunded to the bank account/s provided.

If less than 100% of the bond is to be refunded to the tenants, they will be emailed a Bond Refund S33 Notice. This will detail the requested distribution of the bond. Tenants have 14 days to respond to the Bond Refund S33 Notice in writing and advise if they agree to the requested refund or if they wish to dispute it.

If the tenants agree to the requested refund distribution as detailed in the Bond Refund Notice, all parties will be refunded as requested.  Refunds will be paid via bank transfer.

Refund Disputes

If the requested refund is disputed, the Rental Bonds Office will notify the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) of the dispute. Both bond parties will also be notified that the matter has been referred to the ACAT.

Any portion of the bond that is undisputed will be refunded at this stage. The disputed portion of the bond can be refunded at any time, should the parties resolve their dispute, by lodging a completed Bond Refund form signed by all parties.