QUESTION: I’m leaving my apartment to move somewhere closer to work, I’ve given my notice and everything is fine. The problem is, with the cost of moving house, buying a few bits and pieces of furniture and putting down a bond and rent in advance for the new place, I’m hitting a cash-flow problem. Is there any way I can get my existing bond refunded early? – Jeff, Curl Curl
ANSWER: You can only apply to have your bond repaid after you have handed over the keys and the landlord is satisfied that everything is in order. This covers the remote possibility that you might have a house-wrecking party the night before you leave.
However, you can arrange to have your bond transferred to the new tenancy provided your old landlord signs off on this, as they would have to anyway if you wanted a full refund of your bond. You can pay any difference in the amount when you apply.
By the way, you can only transfer the bond if the same tenant or tenants are moving to the new home and provided the bond wasn’t paid by Housing NSW.
You can download forms for both refund and transfer of your bond from the Fair Trading rentals site www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Tenants_and_home_owners/Renting_a_home/Bonds.html and your real estate agent should have them too.
Email your tenancy questions to mail@flatchat.com.au or log on to the Tenants Advisory Service (www.tenants.org.au) for general advice.