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How to get your bond back in the NT

✓ Checked against official NT Government guidance on 5 November 2026

The whole process at a glance

1. Before you move inThe security deposit is up to 4 weeks' rent, held in trust by the landlord or agent.
2. Within 3 business days of startingYou should receive a completed, signed condition report.
3. Within 5 business days of receiving itSign and return it, or mark your changes. If you do nothing, it's accepted.
4. Moving outLeave it reasonably clean and in a reasonable state of repair.
5. Within 7 business days of moving outFull refund, or a written bond notice with evidence.

Moving in: the condition report

In the NT, you should receive a completed, signed condition report within 3 business days of your tenancy starting, ideally done with you present. Within 5 business days of getting it, either sign and return it, or mark any changes and return it. If you do nothing, you're taken to have accepted it.

• It's conclusive evidence. The report is treated as conclusive evidence of the condition at the start, so get it right.
• No report, no claim. If the landlord doesn't complete one at the start, they can't claim any of the deposit for cleaning, damage or lost property.
• Take photos or video of the whole property. NT Government says this helps resolve disputes at the end.

Moving out

You must leave the property reasonably clean and in a reasonable state of repair, allowing for reasonable wear and tear. The landlord compares it with the ingoing condition report. You don't have to pay for professional cleaning.

Give the landlord your forwarding address before you go, so a bond notice reaches you.

Getting your bond back

• Who holds it: an agent keeps the deposit in a tenancy trust account, and a private landlord must hold it in trust too. You can ask in writing which account it's in.
• The 7-day rule: within 7 business days of you moving out, the landlord must refund the deposit in full or give you a written bond notice.
• A valid bond notice includes the reasons, a statutory declaration, and copies of receipts or quotes for any cleaning or repairs. The standard form is Form RT08.
• No notice in time? Generally the landlord can't keep any of the deposit, with some exceptions such as lock replacement or unpaid rent.

If the landlord claims some of it

1. Talk to the landlord or agent first, using your condition report and photos.
2. Call NT Consumer Affairs on 1800 019 319 for advice if you can't agree.
3. Apply to NTCAT, the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal, for a decision. You can apply once you get the bond notice, or after 7 business days if no notice arrives.

If you broke the lease early, the landlord can hold money for lost rent and re-letting for up to 3 months, but must apply to NTCAT within that time or return it.

Fair wear and tear vs damage

Everywhere in Australia, you have to leave the property as you found it, apart from fair wear and tear. Wear and tear is the gradual deterioration from normal use and ageing. You don't pay for it. Damage caused by carelessness, accidents or neglect is different. Typical examples:

Fair wear and tear	Damage
Carpet worn in walkways	Burns or large stains in the carpet
Paint or curtains faded by sun	Holes or marks in walls from hanging things without permission
Minor scuffs where furniture sat	Benchtop burnt by a hot pan
Loose door handles from years of use	Broken window or door from an accident

The line isn't always obvious, which is why your entry report and dated photos matter so much. A mark that is recorded on day one can't be blamed on you later.

Your bond checklist

• Get your condition report within 3 business days of moving in
• Return it signed or with changes within 5 business days
• Photograph or video every room
• Ask which trust account holds your deposit
• Leave it reasonably clean and in good repair
• Give the landlord your forwarding address
• Expect a full refund or bond notice within 7 business days
• Call Consumer Affairs, then NTCAT, if you disagree