A security bond may need to be changed when there is a change in:
- rent
- property ownership
- managing agent
- tenants
Tenant(s) and landlord(s) will be sent a new bond certificate when a variation has been processed.
Increase in bond amounts (bond top-up)
A landlord may request a tenant(s) to increase or top up a bond at the next rent increase.
The bond increase can only cover the:
- difference between the bond already held and
- maximum bond allowed (up to four weeks' rent).
Bond top-up payments must be lodged with the Bond Administration:
- within 14 days
- using the Variation of Security Bond form.
Pet bond
A landlord may ask for a pet bond when a tenant’s pet request has been approved.
There is a maximum amount a landlord can require, no matter how many pets a tenant has:
- Residential tenancy: up to $350 for fumigation or pet-related damage
- Residential parks: up to $260 fumigation only.
Pet bonds must be lodged with the Bonds Administration.
Existing pet bonds for residential tenancies can only be increased to the new amount:
- at the next rent increase or
- when an additional pet request is approved.
Pet bonds are not applicable to assistance dogs.
Change of owner or agent
The bond details must be updated when there is a change of landlord or agent.
Agent managed rentals
Agents can use BondsOnline to
- update the landlord’s name
- transfer the management of the bond to another agency.
Landlord-managed rentals
Landlords can use the paper form to change the landlord or managing agent on the bond.
Both former and new landlord/agent must provide their contact details and sign the form.
Tenants do not need to sign or approve the variation form when only the owner or agent has changed.
Tenants will be notified and sent a new bond certificate.
Changes of tenant(s) in shared tenancies
Shared tenancies are when two or tenants live in a rental property. The tenants are usually not related.
When a tenant leaves a shared tenancy, the:
- tenants must sort out the bond money between themselves. The incoming tenant can pay the leaving tenant directly
- landlord completes a variation form with the new and leaving tenants
- leaving tenant should recieve their share of the bond money before signing the variation
- tenant(s) removed from the bond can't claim any of the bond at the end of the tenancy.
Tenants wanting legal advice can contact one of the Tenancy Advice and Education Services listed on Tenancy support services.
When a tenant has died
The person managing the deceased tenant's estate can apply to remove them from the bond.
They need to provide:
- a completed variation form
- a copy of the death certificate
- evidence they are managing the deceased tenant’s estate, such as a letter of administration, probate, or the will.
If the tenancy has ended, go to releasing a bond page.
Decreasing a bond
A bond can be partially released during a tenancy when:
- there has been a reduction in the weekly rent
- a pet bond was paid and the pet no longer lives at the home.
The bond release form will need to be completed to release part of a bond. The partial payment can only be released to the tenant(s).
Submitting a bond change
BondsOnline
Real estate agents, property managers and private landlords must be registered to use BondsOnline.
They can use it to:
- add tenants
- remove tenants
- change the bond amounts.
Real estate agents can also use BondsOnline to transfer a bond:
- from one agent to another
- when ownership changes and the agent continues to manage the tenancy.
Real estate agents and property managers
Bonds must be varied using BondsOnline.
There may be times where BondsOnline can't be used to manage a tenant's bond. A written explanation about why you can't use BondsOnline for that particular bond must be included in your paper-form application.
Private landlords
Landlords can use BondsOnline or the paper-based form.
BondsOnline
Go to BondsOnline
Need to register? We have step by step instructions on how to register for BondsOnline.
Find out more about when you can and can't use BondsOnline .
Bonds manual (PDF) forms
- Bonds e-form complete some details and create a PDF online to print and sign.
- Download a blank PDF to fill out offline.
Submitting a manual (PDF) bond lodgement
Details on how to submit your paper bonds form is available on Bonds form page.