Getting your bond back in NZ
What can be deducted, how long it should take, and what to do when the landlord won't sign.
The bond is yours, held by Tenancy Services
Your bond doesn't sit with the landlord — it's lodged with Tenancy Services (a government service), and it can only be released by agreement of both parties or by a Tenancy Tribunal order. That matters: a landlord can't simply decide to keep it. When the tenancy ends, either party files a bond refund form; if both sign, the refund usually lands within a few working days.
What can actually be deducted
Legitimate deductions are unpaid rent, damage beyond fair wear and tear, and genuine cleaning costs to return the place to a reasonably clean condition. Fair wear and tear is not damage — carpet flattened by furniture, faded curtains, minor scuffs from normal living all sit on the tenant-protected side of the line. A landlord claiming for them is claiming for the cost of owning a rental.
If you disagree, don't just not sign — act
When there's a dispute, either side can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal (fee ~$20, no lawyers needed for most cases). Evidence wins: the in-going property inspection report, dated photos from move-in and move-out, and the rent ledger. If the landlord claims cleaning or damage, they carry the burden of showing it goes beyond fair wear and tear.
The traps that cost tenants their bond
Leaving without a forwarding address (refund forms go astray), agreeing verbally to deductions under moving-day pressure, and not photographing the empty, cleaned property on the way out. Ten minutes of photos is the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy.
A tenancy question of your own?
Describe your situation in plain words — get an answer with the exact sections of the Residential Tenancies Act that apply, and a draft letter when you need one. First question free.
Ask NZ Tenancy Answers →FAQ
How long does a bond refund take in NZ?
If both parties sign the refund form, typically 2–5 working days after Tenancy Services processes it. Disputes go to the Tenancy Tribunal and take longer.
Can my landlord keep the bond for cleaning?
Only to return the property to a reasonably clean condition, and only if you left it worse than that. A professional-cleaning invoice isn't automatically chargeable to you.
Where do I check my exact situation?
Ask NZ Tenancy Answers — describe what happened and get an answer with the exact sections of the Residential Tenancies Act that apply, plus a draft letter if you need one. First question free.
General information, not legal advice for your specific situation.
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