Document text
Bond refund — letter to the landlord
Ask your landlord to submit the refund in Bond Hub, check what can be deducted, and follow up
1. The letter
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR EMAIL OR NEW ADDRESS]
[DATE]
To: [LANDLORD NAME]
Subject: Bond refund — [RENTAL ADDRESS], bond number [BOND NUMBER]
Dear [LANDLORD NAME],
Our tenancy at [RENTAL ADDRESS] ended on [TENANCY END DATE]. We have moved out and returned all keys on [DATE KEYS RETURNED]. The property was left clean and tidy, with only fair wear and tear, and the rent is paid up to the end of the tenancy.
The bond held by Tenancy Services is [BOND AMOUNT].
Please submit a bond refund request in Bond Hub (or your property management software) for the full bond of [BOND AMOUNT] to be refunded to us.
Since 29 June 2026 the paper bond refund form is no longer available, so the refund starts with your request in Bond Hub. Once you submit it, we get a notification from Tenancy Services and will confirm it straight away; Tenancy Services says the bond is then refunded the following day.
If you believe any amount should be kept from the bond, please tell us in writing by [REPLY BY DATE] what it is for and how much, with photos or invoices, so we can try to agree. If we cannot agree, either of us can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal.
Thank you for the tenancy.
Kind regards,
[YOUR NAME]
Phone: [PHONE]
2. Bond and agreed deductions
Item Amount
General bond held by Tenancy Services [BOND AMOUNT]
Pet bond (if any) NZ$ [AMOUNT]
[WHAT IS DEDUCTED AND WHY] NZ$ [AMOUNT]
[WHAT IS DEDUCTED AND WHY] NZ$ [AMOUNT]
Refund to us NZ$ [AMOUNT]
3. Timeline
Step Date
Tenancy ended [TENANCY END DATE]
Letter sent to the landlord [DATE]
Landlord submits the refund in Bond Hub [DATE]
We confirm (tenants have 12 working days to respond) [DATE]
Refund paid — the day after we agree [DATE]
What Tenancy Services says (tenancy.govt.nz, checked 21 October 2026) • A general bond is refunded in full if the property is in reasonable condition, with no damage beyond fair wear and tear, no repairs needed and nothing owing (such as rent or water). • If money is owed, the landlord gets that amount and the tenant gets the rest. • The landlord submits the refund in Bond Hub or property management software; all tenants must agree or disagree with the amount. Tenants have 12 working days to respond. • If the landlord does not act, tenants can call Tenancy Services on 0800 836 262 for help submitting a refund. • If you cannot agree, either party can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal. If the tenant applies, the landlord must also apply to get any of the bond. • A general bond can be at most 4 weeks' rent; a pet bond at most 2 weeks' rent.
4. Move-out checklist
Done Before you hand back the keys
☐ Final inspection with the landlord; walk through the ingoing condition report
☐ Photos and a short video of every room, with the date
☐ Oven, rangehood, fridge, bathroom, windows and floors cleaned
☐ Rubbish and everything of yours removed, including the garage and garden
☐ Rent paid to the last day; final water reading noted if you pay water
☐ All keys, remotes and swipe cards returned — write down when and to whom
☐ Your new address and bank account number ready for Bond Hub
☐ Your email address is up to date with Tenancy Services (that is where the notification goes)
5. Follow-up if there is no reply
Dear [LANDLORD NAME],
On [DATE] I asked you to submit a bond refund request for [RENTAL ADDRESS]. I have not yet had a notification from Tenancy Services. Please submit the refund in Bond Hub, or tell me in writing what you disagree with, by [NEW DATE]. If I do not hear from you, I will contact Tenancy Services and may apply to the Tenancy Tribunal for the bond to be refunded.
Kind regards, [YOUR NAME]
Not legal advice. Bond rules from Tenancy Services (tenancy.govt.nz), checked 21 October 2026. Working days here skip weekends and national public holidays; the Residential Tenancies Act defines working days — check it if your dates fall over Christmas and New Year.