> Tenancies  > Residential tenancies  > Bonds and rent  > Refund of a security bond

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• Electronic Funds Transfer Facilities

The bond money may be released either by

• the tenant and the landlord/agent - making a joint application (allowing the bond money to be collected immediately), or

• one party applying independently (which requires notification to the other party that the bond money is being claimed and giving the other party an opportunity to dispute that claim).

Do not sign the bond refund form unless you agree with the amount each party is claiming.

The signatures on the bond refund form must match the signatures on the form when the bond was lodged. The refund form can be posted or brought in to the Tenancies Branch. The bond will be refunded by cheque, or can be paid directly into your bank account (EFT details on the bond refund form will need to be completed).

Applying for a bond refund where both parties agree:
At the end of the tenancy when the tenant and landlord/agent agree how the bond should be paid out, the security bond refund form may be completed and signed by both parties. NB: The signatures of both parties are not required where the person who signs the bond refund form is not seeking any portion of the bond money.

Applying for a bond refund where both parties do not agree, or the other party is unable to sign:
A bond refund form seeking payment to the applicant without the other party's signature can be lodged with the Tenancies Branch. The other party* will be notified of the applicant's claim and given an opportunity to dispute the claim. If not disputed it will be paid to the applicant. If disputed it will be referred to Tenancy Advice for conciliation and if it cannot be conciliated, it may be referred to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal for a determination.

* Please note that Housing SA, a third party as defined under Section 63 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1995, may exercise its right to dispute the refund of a bond guarantee.



For further information please contact the Tenancies Branch, Advice Section on 8204 9544.

To obtain a copy of the security bond refund form click here.

Electronic Funds Transfer Facilities

EFT is available for all residential bond refunds.

Benefits of EFT

• Faster reimbursement of bond monies

• Not reliant on postal services

• No delays waiting for cheque clearance

• No more un-banked cheques

• A clear record of monies received and the bond they relate to.
  
  

How can you take advantage of EFT ?

Agents

Simply complete an original Agent EFT Payment Request Form and lodge it with the Tenancies Branch.

Landlords and Tenants

You can have your bond paid directly into your bank account by completing the EFT details on the bond refund form or completing an individual EFT Payment Request Form and lodging it along with the bond refund form.


Some things to keep in mind;

• The Tenancies Branch cannot accept responsibility for incorrect details provided.

• Provision of bank account details will require two authorised signatures, or that of the manager or principal agent. (For agents only).

• Your confidentiality is secured as Tenancies Branch staff will not divulge any bank account details to any third party, nor will they be disclosed to anyone over the phone.

• To simplify management of your records, the bond number and the name of the remitter will appear on your bank statement to identify payments made to you. Each refund will appear as a separate entry on your statement.

Related Information:

• Agent EFT form
• Individual EFT form
• Security bond refund form

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