Bond Hub: bonds are now fully online

If you've been self-managing for a while, you'll remember printing bond forms, collecting signatures and posting them off to Tenancy Services. Those days are over. Since 29 June 2026, every bond task, from lodging a bond to processing a refund, is handled online through Tenancy Services' Bond Hub.

What is Bond Hub?

Bond Hub is the online system Tenancy Services uses to manage tenancy bonds. It launched for landlords in December 2025, and has since been expanded so that lodgements, top-ups, changes of tenant or landlord, and refunds can all be done online.

Getting set up

To use Bond Hub you'll need to register and verify your identity. You can sign in using RealMe, or a Microsoft or Google account. It's worth doing this before you need it, so you're not trying to set up an account on the day your new tenant moves in.

Lodging a bond

The basic bond rules haven't changed:

• The general bond can be up to four weeks' rent.
• You can also charge a separate pet bond of up to two weeks' rent if the tenant has a pet.
• Bonds must be lodged with Tenancy Services within 23 working days of receiving them.
• Not lodging a bond on time is an unlawful act and can lead to a penalty.

What's different is that it all happens online. Manual paper lodgements are no longer accepted, and signatures aren't needed to lodge or top up a bond.

How refunds work now

At the end of a tenancy, you start the refund request in Bond Hub, showing how much should go to the tenant and how much, if any, to you. The tenant then receives a link and a one-time password, and can either accept or dispute the amount.

• If the tenant accepts, the refund is processed once all parties have agreed, which is much faster than the old paper process.
• If the tenant disputes it, the request is cancelled and no money is paid out. You'll need to talk with the tenant and submit a new request, or apply to the Tenancy Tribunal if you can't agree.

Tips to avoid delays

• Make sure tenants' contact details are correct. Bond Hub notifications go by email or text, so ask your tenants to keep their details up to date with Tenancy Services.
• Do a thorough final inspection. Compare the property against your ingoing inspection report and photos before you request a refund.
• Talk to your tenant first. If you plan to claim part of the bond, explain why and show evidence before you submit the request. A refund that both parties already agree on goes through quickly; a surprise deduction is likely to be disputed.
• Keep good records. Receipts, quotes and photos make it much easier to support a claim if it ends up at the Tribunal.

This article is general information only and isn't legal advice. For the latest guidance, visit tenancy.govt.nz.