Rental bond: how much you pay, how to check it and how to get it back

Tenancy ServicesVerified 14 Oct 2026Official pages checked daily

When you rent a home in New Zealand, your landlord can ask for a bond (a security deposit). The bond can be no more than 4 weeks' rent. Your landlord cannot keep it. They must lodge it with Tenancy Services, a government service. When you move out, your landlord starts the refund online and you confirm it. If you cannot agree on the refund, you can try mediation or apply to the Tenancy Tribunal.

Key facts

Maximum general bond: No more than 4 weeks' rent¹
Maximum pet bond: No more than 2 weeks' rent¹
Deadline for the landlord to lodge the bond: If you pay the bond to your landlord, they must lodge it with Tenancy Services within 23 working days of receiving it¹
No lodgement notice received: If you have not received a notice that your bond is lodged within 6 weeks, contact your landlord to check¹
Maximum rent in advance: No more than 2 weeks' rent. Your landlord cannot ask for more rent until the rent you paid in advance is used up⁴
Time to respond to a refund request: After your landlord submits a refund request in Bond Hub, you have 12 working days to respond³
Refund timing: Once all tenants agree, the bond is paid out the next day. After a complete request is received, processing takes up to 10 working days³
Unclaimed bonds: If a bond is not claimed within 6 years of the tenancy ending or the refund being approved, it goes to the Crown (the government)³
Tenancy Tribunal application fee: NZ$29⁵
Tenancy Services phone: 0800 836 262 (0800 TENANCY)³

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

Tenants and landlords with a tenancy covered by the Residential Tenancies Act 1986
Tenants who have paid a general bond or a pet bond
People about to sign a tenancy agreement who want to know how much bond and rent in advance a landlord can ask for

How do I do it? Steps and process

Check the amounts before you sign
The bond can be no more than 4 weeks' rent. A pet bond can be no more than 2 weeks' rent. Rent in advance can be no more than 2 weeks' rent. Amounts above these limits do not follow the rules. If you are unsure, call Tenancy Services.
Pay the bond and get a receipt
You can pay the bond to your landlord, or your landlord may ask you to pay it directly to Tenancy Services. If you pay your landlord, they must give you a bond receipt. Keep it safe.
Inspect the property together when you move in
Check the property carefully with your landlord. Fill in and sign a property inspection report. Take your own photos too, so you have evidence when you move out.
Check that your bond is lodged
Your landlord must lodge the bond with Tenancy Services within 23 working days of receiving it. You will get a notice once it is lodged. If you have not received it within 6 weeks, contact your landlord to check.
Inspect the property together before you move out
Before you leave, inspect the property with your landlord and both agree on the final inspection report. Unpaid rent, damage, or costs such as cleaning or gardening can be taken from the bond.
Respond to the refund request
Your landlord submits a refund request through Bond Hub or property management software, and you will get a notice. Respond within 12 working days. If the amount is correct, agree to it. Once all tenants agree, the refund is paid the next day.
If you cannot agree, use mediation or the Tribunal
If you and your landlord cannot agree on the refund, either of you can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal (application fee NZ$29). If both sides are willing, you can try mediation first. If mediation does not work, or you do not use it, the case goes to a hearing.

What documents do I need?

Bond receipt
Tenancy agreement
Move-in and move-out property inspection reports and photos
Bond number (you need it to apply to the Tenancy Tribunal)
Bank account number for the refund

What should I watch out for?

You get your full bond back if the property is in a reasonable condition that meets the tenancy agreement, there is no damage beyond fair wear and tear, no repairs are needed, and you owe nothing (for example, rent or water charges).
If you owe money, the landlord takes what you owe and you get the rest. For example, if the bond is NZ$2,000 and the damage is NZ$1,500, the landlord gets NZ$1,500 and you get NZ$500 back. If you owe more than the bond, the landlord gets the whole bond.
Always check the refund amount before you confirm. If the amount is wrong, do not agree.
If several flatmates move out together, every tenant named on the tenancy agreement must respond to the refund amount (agree or disagree).
If your landlord does not start the refund: first remind them. If that does not work, call 0800 836 262. Tenancy Services can help you submit the refund request.
From 29 June 2026, the paper bond refund form is no longer used. Refunds are done online through Bond Hub or property management software.
If you move to a new rental and the new landlord agrees, you can transfer your bond directly to them. The new landlord must give you a receipt and lodge it with Tenancy Services within 23 working days.
It is illegal for a landlord not to lodge the bond on time, and they can be fined.
If your contact details change, tell Tenancy Services within 10 working days. Refund notices are sent to the email address you registered.
If you win at the Tenancy Tribunal, you can ask the other side to repay your application fee, but you must ask for this when you file your application.
This page summarises public information and is not legal advice. For a specific dispute, contact Tenancy Services.

What has changed recently?

2026-06-29
Paper bond refund forms, change of tenant forms and change of landlord forms are no longer available. These are now done online through Bond Hub or property management software.

Common questions

My landlord wants 6 weeks' rent as a security deposit. Is that legal?

No. A general bond can be no more than 4 weeks' rent, so 6 weeks does not follow the rules. A separate pet bond can be no more than 2 weeks' rent. If you are unsure, call Tenancy Services on 0800 836 262 before you sign.

I paid the bond to my landlord. How do I know they lodged it with Tenancy Services?

You will get a notice from Tenancy Services once your bond is lodged. Your landlord must lodge it within 23 working days of receiving it. If you have not received the notice within 6 weeks, contact your landlord to check. Keep your bond receipt safe. It is illegal for a landlord not to lodge the bond on time, and they can be fined.

How do I get my bond back after I move out, and how long does it take?

Your landlord starts the refund online through Bond Hub or property management software, and you get a notice. You have 12 working days to respond. Check the amount before you agree. Once all tenants agree, the bond is paid out the next day. After a complete request is received, processing takes up to 10 working days. If your landlord does not start the refund, remind them, then call 0800 836 262.

My landlord wants to keep part of my bond for cleaning and I don't agree. What can I do?

Do not agree to the refund amount. Either you or your landlord can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal. The application fee is NZ$29. If both sides are willing, you can try mediation first. If mediation does not work, or you do not use it, the case goes to a hearing. Use your inspection reports and photos as evidence. For a specific dispute, contact Tenancy Services.

Can my landlord ask me to pay one month's rent in advance?

No. Rent in advance can be no more than 2 weeks' rent, so one month is more than the limit. Your landlord also cannot ask for more rent until the rent you paid in advance is used up. If you are unsure, call Tenancy Services on 0800 836 262.

Do I have to pay an extra bond if I have a pet? What is the maximum?

Your landlord can ask for a pet bond, but it can be no more than 2 weeks' rent. This is separate from the general bond, which can be no more than 4 weeks' rent. If the amount you are asked for is higher, it does not follow the rules. If you are unsure, call Tenancy Services on 0800 836 262.

How do I apply to the Tenancy Tribunal about a bond dispute, and how much does it cost?

The application fee is NZ$29, and either you or your landlord can apply. You need your bond number to apply. If you win, you can ask the other side to repay your application fee, but you must ask for this when you file your application. For help with a specific dispute, contact Tenancy Services on 0800 836 262.

I moved out a long time ago and never got my bond back. Can I still claim it?

Yes, if it is within 6 years. A bond that is not claimed within 6 years of the tenancy ending or the refund being approved goes to the Crown (the government). Contact Tenancy Services on 0800 836 262. They can help you submit the refund request.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

Preventing problems with bondsTenancy Services (MBIE) · tenancy.govt.nz
Refunding a general bondTenancy Services (MBIE) · tenancy.govt.nz
How to apply for a bond refundTenancy Services (MBIE) · tenancy.govt.nz
Charging rentTenancy Services (MBIE) · tenancy.govt.nz
How to apply to the Tenancy TribunalTenancy Services (MBIE) · tenancy.govt.nz

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