Bond refunds

Bonds are refunded in one of two ways:

• directly by EFT into a bank account
• by cheque.

EFT declaration (PDF 313KB) - tenants/residents and landlords/proprietors can use this form to provide bank account details to CBS.

Agents can authorise staff to sign on their behalf by completing an agent's authority form (139.2 KB PDF). A new agent's authority form needs to be completed each time there are changes to authorised staff.

Following up a bond refund

To follow up the status of a bond email bondfollowup@sa.gov.au.

If tenants move to another country at the end of their tenancy, they should keep their Australian bank account open so their bond can be paid into that account. If they need their bond refund paid into an overseas bank account, they will need to lodge an International Money Transfer form (218.9 KB PDF) with CBS. The overseas bank may charge them a fee to do this.

Landlords/proprietors can make a claim for:

• unpaid rent
• repair costs for damage caused by the tenant or resident
• cleaning costs
• cost of re-letting and re-advertising if the tenant or resident leaves before their fixed term tenancy ends.

Tenants should:

• ensure rent is paid up to the tenancy end date
• check the property against the condition report and any photos taken when they moved in
• complete the condition report and take photos when they leave
• provide the landlord and CBS with their new contact details for correspondence - this will ensure the bond is returned quickly.

A landlord/proprietor, a tenant or Housing SA (if a Bond Guarantee has been provided) can dispute a bond claim. Parties are encouraged to talk to each other first to resolve the dispute.

If the dispute cannot be resolved, either party to the bond can make a claim for some or all of the bond. Registered users can claim, accept or dispute a bond through the Residential Bonds Online service.

When CBS receives a bond refund form claiming all or part of the bond without the other party's consent, the person who does not consent to the bond refund is notified of the claim. The notice provides information about the claim so they have a chance to dispute it and includes the date that CBS need to receive a response.

If the tenant does not respond, the landlord or proprietor must provide CBS with evidence of their claim (151.0 KB PDF). If the evidence is not sufficient, the claim can be refused and the landlord/proprietor’s claim will be referred to the South Australian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) for a decision.