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How to get your bond back in Tasmania

✓ Checked against official Tasmanian Government (CBOS) guidance on 5 November 2026

The whole process at a glance

1. Before you move inThe bond can't be more than 4 weeks' rent. You get two copies of the condition report.
2. Right after you get the reportYou have only a very short time, about 2 days, to check it and return it with your comments.
3. Moving outClean, remove your things and return the keys.
4. Within 3 working days of returning keysThe owner or agent should start the claim in MyBond.
5. Within 10 days of their claimApprove or dispute it in MyBond.

Moving in: the condition report

In Tasmania, the owner or agent gives you two copies of the condition report at the start of the tenancy, and a bond can't be lodged unless a condition report was completed. You have a very short window, about 2 days, to check it, add your comments and return a copy. Leave it longer and the report may be taken as accurate.

• Go through it the same day. It is one of the shortest condition report windows in Australia.
• Photograph every room and close-ups of existing damage, and keep the photos with your copy.
• Write down anything you disagree with on the report itself.

Moving out

Remove your belongings, clean thoroughly, photograph every room and return the keys. The keys are important in Tasmania, because returning them starts the clock for the bond claim.

Getting your bond back

All bonds are managed online through MyBond.

• The owner or agent must start a claim within 3 working days of you returning the keys, or tell you why not and when they will.
• If they don't, you can start the claim yourself after that time.
• You have 10 days to approve or dispute their claim. If you do nothing, the bond may be paid out as claimed.
• Add your bank details in MyBond so the Rental Deposit Authority can pay you. Allow 3 to 5 days for bank processing.
• If the owner or agent doesn't respond to your claim, the bond is released to you.

If the landlord claims some of it

• Dispute it in MyBond within the 10 days.
• Send your evidence. Everyone gets a dispute notification and has 10 working days to provide evidence. The owner or agent must support their claim, and you should explain why you disagree, with your condition report and photos.
• The Residential Tenancy Commissioner decides how the bond is paid out. When there are many disputes, this can sometimes take more than 90 days.
• Appeals go to the Magistrates Court of Tasmania within 7 days of the decision.

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

• Check and return the condition report within about 2 days
• Photograph every room on move-in day
• Keep your copy of the report and photos
• Clean, remove everything and return the keys
• Make sure your MyBond bank details are entered
• Approve or dispute any claim within 10 days
• Send your evidence within 10 working days if it's disputed
• Appeal within 7 days if you disagree with the decision