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How to get your bond back in Victoria

✓ Checked against official Consumer Affairs Victoria guidance on 5 November 2026

The whole process at a glance

1. Before you move inThe bond is usually no more than one month's rent. You get two copies of the condition report.
2. Within 5 business days of moving inCorrect the condition report, add comments and dated photos, and return a signed copy.
3. Moving outLeave it reasonably clean and in the same condition, apart from fair wear and tear.
4. Within 10 days of the lease endingThe rental provider completes the exit condition report. You can attend.
5. ClaimingEither side can start the claim on the RTBA website. If you start it, the other side has 14 days to contest.

Moving in: the condition report

In Victoria, the rental provider or agent must sign the condition report and give you two copies (or one if sent electronically) before you move in, using the official template. Check it, correct anything that's wrong, add your comments, and return a signed copy within 5 business days of moving in. Keep the other copy.

• No report? You can complete your own and return it within the same 5 business days.
• Photograph everything, especially existing damage. Consumer Affairs Victoria says photos should be dated, labelled and attached to the report.
• If you disagree with the report and can't sort it out, you can apply to VCAT within 30 days of the agreement starting.
• Repairs noted in the report count as written notice to the rental provider.

Moving out

You must leave the property reasonably clean and in the condition it was in when you moved in, allowing for fair wear and tear. For agreements signed from 29 March 2021, the rental provider can't require professional cleaning unless it's needed to return the property to its starting condition.

The rental provider or agent completes the exit condition report within 10 days of the agreement ending. You must be present or given a reasonable chance to attend. Go if you can.

Getting your bond back

Bonds are claimed on the RTBA website. There are two ways:

If you and the rental provider agree

The rental provider submits the claim. Every renter on the bond gets an email to review and accept it, and you must accept within 14 days. Once everyone accepts, the RTBA usually repays the bond within one business day.

If they haven't claimed, or you don't agree

Any renter named on the bond can start the claim themselves after the agreement ends, after confirming their identity with Service Victoria. The RTBA notifies the other parties, who have 14 days to contest by applying to VCAT or Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV). If nobody contests, the bond is repaid as you requested at the end of the 14 days.

Double-check your bank details, because the RTBA doesn't keep them on record.

If the landlord claims some of it

• Evidence first. Before lodging a claim, the rental provider must give you supporting evidence such as invoices, quotes or photos at least 3 business days beforehand. The evidence must not contradict the condition report.
• Agreement is required. A rental provider can only lodge a claim with the RTBA once you agree on the split. If you don't agree, you can lodge your own claim instead.
• Get help from RDRV. Either side can ask Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria to look at the evidence and help reach an outcome.
• VCAT decides if you still can't agree. Consumer Affairs Victoria says VCAT bond disputes are free where the claim is less than the bond paid.

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, correct and return the condition report within 5 business days of moving in
• Take dated, labelled photos of every room on move-in day
• Apply to VCAT within 30 days if the report is wrong and you can't agree
• Leave the property reasonably clean and as you found it
• Attend the exit inspection if you can
• Ask for the rental provider's evidence before agreeing to any deduction
• Start your own claim on the RTBA website if they don't
• Check your bank details on the claim