A bond is money a tenant pays at the start of a tenancy. The landlord doesn't keep it. They have to lodge it with Tenancy Services, which holds it until the tenancy ends. The most a landlord can charge is 4 weeks' rent for a general bond, plus up to 2 weeks' rent for a pet bond.
Bond rules at a glance
| General bond | Pet bond | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum | 4 weeks' rent | 2 weeks' rent (one per tenancy) |
| When it's charged | Start of the tenancy | When the landlord consents to a pet |
| What it covers | Damage, unpaid rent, other claims about the tenancy | Pet damage beyond fair wear and tear |
| Lodged with | Tenancy Services, within 23 working days of the landlord receiving it | |
A landlord doesn't have to charge a bond. If they do, the tenant must pay it.
How much a landlord can charge
General bond
The most is 4 weeks' rent. If the rent is $500 a week, the maximum bond is $2,000.
The bond has to be money. A landlord can't ask for your credit card details, access to your bank account, or personal items like a car or laptop as security. They can ask for a guarantor, someone aged 18 or over who agrees to cover unpaid costs.
Pet bond
Pet bonds started on 1 December 2025. A landlord can charge one if:
- you started keeping the pet on or after 1 December 2025
- the landlord has given consent for that pet, and made the bond a condition of it
- the bond is clearly marked as a pet bond in the paperwork and receipts
The maximum is 2 weeks' rent, and only one pet bond per tenancy, however many pets you have. A landlord can't charge a pet bond for a disability assist dog. Charging more than 2 weeks' rent can mean a penalty of up to $3,000 for the landlord.
Paying and lodging the bond
You can pay the bond to the landlord, or straight to Tenancy Services if the landlord agrees. If you pay the landlord, they must give you a receipt showing:
- the date you paid
- whether it's a general bond or pet bond
- the amount
- your name and the property address
- the landlord's signature
The landlord must then lodge the bond with Tenancy Services within 23 working days of receiving it. That applies even if you pay in instalments. A landlord who misses the deadline can face a financial penalty. If you're paying Tenancy Services directly, the landlord nominates you as the payer and you get an email with a payment link.
A bond doesn't have to be lodged for a boarding house tenancy where it's 1 week's rent or less, or a tenancy that isn't covered by the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
Work and Income can help eligible people pay a bond.
Do an inspection first
Tenancy Services recommends that tenant and landlord inspect the property before you move in and record its condition in a property inspection report. It's useful evidence if there's a dispute about the bond later.
Getting your bond back
You get the whole general bond back if, at the end of the tenancy, the property:
- is in reasonable condition and meets the tenancy agreement
- has no damage beyond fair wear and tear
- doesn't need repairs
- has nothing owing, like rent or water charges
If money is owed, the landlord gets that amount and you get the rest. Tenancy Services' example: a $2,000 bond with $1,500 of damage means $1,500 to the landlord and $500 to the tenant.
How the refund works
- Ask your landlord to submit a bond refund request. They do it online in Bond Hub or their property management software. The paper forms stopped on 29 June 2026.
- You get a notification. Make sure Tenancy Services has your current email address, and check your junk folder.
- You have 12 working days to agree or disagree. Every tenant on the bond has to respond.
- Once you agree, the bond is refunded the next day, into the bank account you give.
If your landlord won't submit a request, Tenancy Services can help you apply. Its number is 0800 836 262 (0800 TENANCY). It says it takes up to 10 working days to process a completed application.
Moving to a new rental? You can transfer your bond to the new landlord if they agree. The new landlord must lodge it within 23 working days.
A bond that isn't claimed within 6 years of the tenancy ending becomes Crown property.
If you can't agree
If the landlord and tenant can't agree on the refund, either can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal.
- If the landlord applies, the tenant doesn't need to apply as well.
- If the tenant applies, the landlord must also apply if they want any of the bond.
- If both agree, a mediator can help. If mediation isn't used or doesn't work, it goes to a Tribunal hearing.
A pet bond normally only covers pet damage. It can cover other costs, like rent arrears, if the tenant agrees or the Tribunal orders it.
Saving for a bond while you look for a place? The average salary post shows what typical weekly pay looks like, and the bright-line post covers the tax side for landlords who sell.
Common questions
What is the maximum bond in NZ?
4 weeks' rent for a general bond. A landlord can also charge a pet bond of up to 2 weeks' rent if they've agreed to you keeping a pet.
How long does a landlord have to lodge the bond?
23 working days from receiving it. They can face a financial penalty if they don't.
How long does a bond refund take?
If your landlord submits the request in Bond Hub, you have 12 working days to respond, and the bond is paid the day after everyone agrees. Tenancy Services says a completed application takes up to 10 working days to process.
Can my landlord keep my bond?
Only for money you owe, like unpaid rent or damage beyond fair wear and tear. If you don't agree, either of you can go to the Tenancy Tribunal.
Sources: Tenancy Services, Bonds, Charging a general bond, Charging a pet bond, Paying a bond, Bond lodgement explained, Refunding a general bond and How to apply for a bond refund. Checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice.