Letter to Request Return of Residential Tenancy Deposit

This Letter to Request Return of Tenancy Deposit can be used by a tenant or tenants to request the return of a tenancy deposit (or "bond") from a landlord, at the end of a residential tenancy. The letter provides a simple template, enabling the tenant to request that the deposit be paid.

Some states and territories have government authorities that are set up to hold rental deposits for safekeeping. In those states and territories, landlords are required to provide tenancy deposits to the relevant government authority for safekeeping, and are prohibited from holding the deposits themselves.

If the rented property is in a state or territory where deposits are held by a government authority, the letter can be adapted to ask that the landlord goes through the process to have the deposit returned to the tenant. If the property is in a state or territory where the landlord is able to hold the deposit (rather than depositing it with a government authority), then the letter can be adapted to request that the landlord pays the deposit, and to provide payment details to the landlord.

How to use this document

Once the letter has been completed, it can be posted, emailed, or hand delivered to the landlord.

The rental deposit is not usually returned until after the tenant has vacated the property, so the letter is designed to be provided to the landlord after the tenant has already vacated the property.

The letter should be sent as soon as possible once this has occurred, and should be sent before the tenant commences any legal proceedings seeking a return of the deposit.

Applicable Law

Each state and territory has its own legislation regarding residential tenancies (including rental deposits).

Further information or legal assistance for tenants is available from consumer affairs offices, tenant unions or tenant advice services in each state and territory.

How to modify the template

You fill out a form. The document is created before your eyes as you respond to the questions.

At the end, you receive it in Word and PDF formats. You can modify it and reuse it.