How to request a bond refund
The ACT Revenue Office has made changes to how bonds are lodged and claimed.
A request for a refund of a bond is usually made after the tenancy agreement ends. Lessors, agents, and/or tenants can request the refund. Once the refund has been processed and released from the Rental Bonds Office, the refund is deposited into a nominated account/s.
Refund requests can be made before a tenancy agreement ends if one the following applies:
- the application is submitted jointly by the lessor and the tenant.
- the application is submitted by the lessor for the total amount to be paid to the tenant.
- the application is submitted by the tenant for the total amount to be paid to the lessor.
- the Australian Capital Territory Civil & Administration Tribunal (ACAT) orders the full, or part of the bond be paid to either party.
The Rental Bonds Office may contact you to check which of these applies to your application.
If the bond refund has been requested prior to the end of the tenancy and none of these apply, you may be asked to cancel the bond refund request and lodge a new application from the date the tenancy agreement ends.
How to request a bond refund
Disputes
Disputes where a lessor or agent are claiming part or full bond
The Rental Bonds Office on application by either lessor or tenants will refer a dispute between lessor/agent and tenants to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT).
Disputes in relation to co-tenant refunds
Co-tenant changes may lead to disputes between co-tenants regarding if, and when, a person should have been added or removed from a bond, the ACAT can decide on disputes relating to co-tenants. Tenants can apply to the ACAT directly or where requested the Rental Bonds Office can refer a dispute between co-tenants to the ACAT if requested. If a tenant is not listed on a bond held the referral will be independent to the bond held, until the ACAT notifies the Rental Bonds Office by Tribunal Order.
Who can go to ACAT?
Both landlords and co-tenants can apply to ACAT to resolve a tenancy dispute. Under the new laws, co-tenants can apply to ACAT to resolve a dispute between co-tenants (so long as the dispute is related to the tenancy agreement). Further information regarding leaving a tenancy can be found at Ending a tenancy - ACT Government.