Bond on fixed-term breach?
Question from Tom updated on 26th May 2015:
If a tenant terminates a tenancy before the fixed term is finished, then who gets the balance of the bond? For example, the bond was lodged for $2,000 with total property costs of $250 to be deducted. Who gets the remaining $1750?
Our expert Alan Bruce responded:
The answer to your question will depend on the circumstances surrounding how the tenancy has ended. Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (the Act), a fixed term tenancy cannot be ended by either party giving notice to terminate the contract before the agreed end date. Either party can approach the other to see if they are agreeable to ending the tenancy agreement by mutual consent. Any agreement should be in writing clearly stating the terms associated with the tenancy ending earlier. Another option that allows a tenant to exit a fixed term tenancy is a process called ‘assignment’. Assignment is where a tenant wants to leave and have someone else take over their interest in the tenancy. Once a suitable replacement for the tenant has been found, the obligations of the departing tenant(s) continue until the day the assignment takes effect. This includes responsibility for paying the rent as well as anything that happens up until the day the new tenant takes over, but not after that date. A landlord who agrees to an assignment can recover the actual and reasonable costs associated with the assignment of the agreement from the tenant such as advertising costs and credit check fees. The Ministry has prepared an information sheet for parties who want to end their fixed term tenancy before the agreed end date. You can read this information at http://www.dbh.govt.nz/tenancy-ending-fixed-term-info
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