Bond form not returned
Question from Lynnda updated on 18th June 2015:
A bond form was provided to our tenant to sign and we have not received signed form back after more than 23 days.
Our expert Alan Bruce responded:
Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (the Act), landlords have an obligation to lodge any bond payment with the Ministry within 23 working days of receipt of that payment. The exception to this is where one weeks’ rent or less is paid in respect of a boarding house tenancy. If there are difficulties or delay with getting the Bond Lodgement form signed it is recommended that the landlord forwards a Bond Lodgement form without the tenant signature with the bond payment directly to the Ministry to ensure they meet their obligations under the Act. Where the Ministry receives a Bond Lodgement form without the tenant(s) signature, we will write to the tenant(s) directly requesting they provide us with their signature details. If the tenants do not provide their signatures to the Ministry it may cause delays in processing the bond refund at the end of the tenancy. Bond Lodgement forms can be downloaded from our website by visiting: http://www.tenancy.govt.nz/pub-new-tenancy#map3 To discuss your situation further, or for further information about lodging a bond, you can call 0800 737 666 between 8.00am-5.30pm Monday to Friday to speak with a member of our Bond Advice team. You can also visit our website: www.tenancy.govt.nz/tenancy-index.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment provides information and guidance on building law and compliance, services including weathertight homes, and advice for tenants and landlords.