My landlord won’t return my bond in Victoria, what can I do?
What Victorian renters can do when a landlord or agent refuses to return the bond, how the RTBA process works, and how to dispute a claim at VCAT.
Regulator
VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal)
Key legislation
Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic)
Dispute path
Letter first, deadline tracked. If they go quiet, escalation to VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) is prepped and ready.
In Victoria, your bond is held by the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA), not by the landlord or agent, which means they cannot simply keep it. Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic), a landlord who wants to claim part or all of the bond must either get your agreement or apply to VCAT and prove the claim. If you do not consent to a deduction, the money does not move just because the agent says so.
The most common bond claims are cleaning, damage and unpaid rent. For damage claims, the key concepts are fair wear and tear, which the landlord cannot charge you for, and the condition report from the start of the tenancy. Carpet that aged naturally, faded paint, and minor scuffs from ordinary living are wear and tear. Compare the entry condition report and your own photos against the exit condition the agent alleges; the burden is on the landlord to prove the loss, not on you to disprove it.
If the landlord lodges a VCAT claim, do not panic and do not ignore it, VCAT is informal, cheap, and decides on evidence. Bring the condition reports, dated photos and videos from move-in and move-out, receipts for professional cleaning if you arranged it, and all correspondence. If the landlord is simply sitting on the bond without claiming or consenting, you can submit your own claim through the RTBA, and the landlord then has a limited window to dispute it at VCAT before the bond is paid out to you.
Frequently asked questions
Can the agent deduct cleaning costs automatically?
No. Deductions require your agreement or a VCAT order. You are required to leave the property reasonably clean, not professionally spotless, unless a valid term says otherwise.
What is fair wear and tear?
Deterioration from ordinary use over time, faded paint, worn carpet in walkways, small scuffs. Landlords cannot claim bond money for it.
How do I get my bond back if the landlord goes quiet?
Lodge a bond claim directly with the RTBA. If the landlord does not dispute it at VCAT within the allowed time, the bond is released to you.
What evidence wins at VCAT?
The signed entry condition report, dated photos and video from both ends of the tenancy, receipts, and written correspondence. VCAT decides on evidence, and the landlord must prove the claim.
Does it cost much to go to VCAT?
Application fees for renters in bond disputes are low, and the process is designed for people without lawyers.
The landlord claims damage that was there when I moved in. What protects me?
The entry condition report. If the damage was noted at the start, or your move-in photos show it, the claim against your bond should fail.
What if Landlord (VIC) just ignores my letter?
Silence is not a dead end, it is a deadline breach. Landlord (VIC) is expected to respond to a formal complaint within 30 days. Build your letter with us and we track that deadline for you: a countdown check-in two weeks in, and if they miss the deadline, your escalation to your state tenancy tribunal (NCAT in NSW, VCAT in Victoria, QCAT in Queensland, or equivalent) arrives pre-filled and ready to lodge. Escalating is free.
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screwtheman.com is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The content on this page is for general information on consumer rights, legislation, and dispute pathways. For complex legal matters, consult a qualified lawyer or the relevant regulator.