At the end of the lease, the bond should be returned to the tenant if there are no claims for cleaning, outstanding rent or other costs. If a bond guarantee was provided by Housing SA, it will be returned to Housing SA if there are no claims against it. The tenant/resident will have to pay Housing SA any amount of bond that is claimed by a landlord or proprietor.
Lodging a bond refund
When the landlord and tenant agree that the bond is to be refunded, they can lodge a refund request:
- Residential Bonds Online (RBO)
- To use RBO both the tenant and landlord must be registered. Registered tenants should check that their email address is correct - update RBO email address.
- completing and signing a bond refund form (244.7 KB PDF)
Make sure it is signed by both the tenant and the landlord. A tenant should not sign a bond refund form unless they agree to the amount claimed by the landlord.
Only one tenant on the lease needs to sign the bond refund. If only one tenant is claiming the refund and other tenants are listed on the bond, complete and send the individual EFT payment request and declaration (PDF 309KB).
How bonds are refunded
Bonds are refunded in one of two ways:
- directly by EFT into a bank account
- by cheque.
Individual EFT payment request and declaration (PDF 309KB) - 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 the tenant is overseas
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.
Claims on the bond
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.
Avoiding disputes
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.
Dispute a bond claim
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.
Bond claims without the other party's consent
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 (200.5 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.
Bond claims involving Housing SA
Unclaimed bonds
Funds will be held by CBS if you:
- were not active on RBO
- did not provide bank details or forwarding address.
If you wish to claim these funds you will need to submit the EFT declaration (PDF 313KB) to CBS for payment. Forms can be lodged by email or post.
Related information
On this site
- Residential bonds online
- Moving out of your rental property
- Forms and fact sheets for private rental tenancies
Downloads
Bond refund form (example) (248.7 KB PDF)
For an alternative version of a document on this page contact CBS - tenancies.