How to get your bond back in NSW
In New South Wales you claim your bond through Rental Bonds Online or on a paper form. Per NSW Government guidance, the landlord or agent has up to 14 days to accept an online claim, and the refund is paid two business days after it is accepted.
Get the New South Wales answer. Ask RenterIQ free →Before you claim
NSW Government guidance lists what to finish before you put in a claim:
- Pay rent up to the end of your notice period (or your moving date if you broke a fixed-term lease early).
- Clean the property and remove all your belongings.
- Repair any damage beyond fair wear and tear.
- Sign the condition report with your landlord or agent.
- Return all keys.
Two ways to claim
Online (Rental Bonds Online). Log in and submit your claim. The landlord or agent has up to 14 days to accept it. Once accepted, the refund goes to your nominated bank account by direct deposit, and NSW Government says to expect it two business days later.
Paper form. If you don't have an online account, complete the "Claim for Bond Refund" form, have the landlord or agent sign it, and send it to NSW Fair Trading by post, by email (bondclaims@customerservice.nsw.gov.au) or in person. If the landlord doesn't dispute the claim, Fair Trading pays it after 14 days. You can still lodge a paper claim if the landlord won't sign.
You get it back unless money is owed
The bond is returned unless money is owed for rent, damage or other costs. Cleaning and damage are judged against the condition the property was in at the start, which is why your entry condition report and move-in photos matter.
If the landlord disputes your claim
If you can't agree, the matter can go to NCAT (the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal), which takes it out of Fair Trading's hands. NSW Government also says that a landlord who claims against the bond without providing evidence is breaching the Residential Tenancies Act 2010, and you can lodge a complaint with Fair Trading. For advice before a hearing, the Tenants' Union of NSW and the Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service can help.
Moving out of a share house
In a shared tenancy the principal tenant usually handles the claim and passes on each person's share. If a co-tenant moves out and asks for their share, the remaining tenants must repay it within 14 days of the request, less any rent owed or reasonable costs. There are exceptions, so check the official page if this applies to you.
Why your photos decide disputes
Most arguments come down to what the property looked like at the start versus the end. RenterIQ gives you a guided, room-by-room report with timestamped photos you can export, and at move-out it lines your photos up side by side with your move-in set, so you have a dated record to put in front of the landlord, Fair Trading or NCAT.
NSW Fair Trading · phone 13 32 20. Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 3 November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the official source before you act.
Common questions: New South Wales
For an online claim, the landlord or agent has up to 14 days to accept it, and NSW Government says the refund is paid two business days after acceptance. On a paper claim, Fair Trading pays after 14 days if the landlord does not dispute it.
On a paper claim, if the landlord does not dispute it within 14 days, Fair Trading pays it. You can also lodge a paper claim without the landlord's signature.
Yes, a paper claim can still be submitted if the landlord or agent does not sign. The landlord then has 14 days to dispute it.
Money owed for rent, damage or other costs. Damage beyond fair wear and tear should be repaired by the tenant, and condition is judged against how the property was at the start of the tenancy.
NSW Government says claiming against the bond without evidence is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 2010. You can lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20 or seek advice from the Tenants' Union of NSW.