What happens if my landlord won't give my bond back in the ACT?
If your landlord refuses to release your bond in the ACT, you do not have to wait for their permission. You can submit a bond refund claim directly to the ACT Revenue Office. If the landlord disputes the claim, they must formally apply to the tribunal.
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How it works in practice
When a tenancy ends in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), rental bonds are managed by the ACT Revenue Office, not directly by your landlord or real estate agent. This provides a layer of protection if a dispute arises over cleaning or damages.
Claiming Your Bond Directly
If your landlord ignores your request or refuses to sign a mutual bond refund form, you hold the right to initiate the process yourself. You can log into the ACT Rental Bonds Portal or submit a direct claim for your refund without their signature.
The Dispute Process
Once you submit your independent claim, the ACT Revenue Office will formally notify your landlord. The landlord then has a strict 14-day window to either agree to the refund or dispute it.
To stop the money from being released to you, the landlord must apply to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) within those 14 days. If they fail to apply to ACAT in time, the ACT Revenue Office will automatically release the bond funds into your nominated bank account.
Important exceptions
If the landlord successfully lodges an application with ACAT within the 14-day notice period, the ACT Revenue Office will freeze the disputed bond amount. The tribunal will then schedule a hearing where both parties must present their evidence, and a legally binding decision will be made regarding how the bond is distributed.
Additionally, if you owe rent arrears or if there is undeniable damage to the property beyond fair wear and tear, ACAT is highly likely to award a portion or all of your bond to the landlord to cover these legitimate financial losses.
What you should do now
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Attempt to reach a written agreement with your landlord regarding the bond refund and document all communications.
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Log into the ACT Rental Bonds Portal or download a Claim for Refund of Bond form from the ACT Revenue Office website.
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Complete the claim form with your forwarding address and bank details, leaving the landlord's signature section blank.
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Submit the completed claim form directly to the ACT Revenue Office.
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Wait 14 days for the landlord to either release the funds or lodge a formal dispute with ACAT.
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