This page contains Frequently Asked Question about rental bonds:

1. How do I access RTBA forms?
   
2. I have generated a form through RTBA Online. Why do I need to mail it?
   
3. My claim or transfer form has been returned because of a signature did not match.
   
4. My flatmate has gone overseas and cannot sign the form.
   
5. My signature does not match because I have changed my name.
   
6. I provided my bank account number for my bond repayment. Why was a cheque issued to me?
   
7. I have made a valid claim but I have not received my bond repayment.
   
8. I have received a cheque in joint names and cannot cash it.

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1. How do I access RTBA forms?
   
   Online forms:
   RTBA lodgement, claim and transfer forms can be generated online from this website. The completed form can then be printed, signed by all parties, and sent to the RTBA.
   
   To generate a form, select from the left hand menu your user type (tenant, landlord, or registered user) and then choose from the new menu that appears.
   
   Preprinted forms:
   You can request preprinted forms to be mailed to you by telephoning us on 1300 137 164 or emailing rtba@justice.vic.gov.au.
   
   Please note that the RTBA cannot accept forms by email.
   
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2. I have generated a form through RTBA Online. Why do I need to mail it?
   
   Forms must be mailed to the RTBA so that we can collect the signatures. These signatures are used to validate bond transactions. For example, the signatures on bond claims are compared to the signatures collected from earlier lodgements or transfers.
   
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3. My claim or transfer form has been returned because a signature did not match.
   
   The RTBA matches the signatures of tenants and agent/landlords with the signatures registered with the RTBA via Bond Lodgement or Transfer forms. If the signatures do not correspond, then the form is usually returned to the agent/landlord to be re-submitted.
   
   The notice covering the return will set out the RTBA requirements, including the options of:
   
   a) submission of a new form with signatures signed in the same manner as the specimen signature held by the RTBA;
   
   b) provision of a Statutory Declaration by the landlord confirming the identity of the persons signing and providing the RTBA with an indemnity against loss; or
   
   c) provision of an Order from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal or a court directing the RTBA how to repay the bond.
   
   If a form is rejected for a second or subsequent time, and if a forwarding address has been provided for the tenants on the form, then the form is sent back to the tenant. If there is no forwarding address for the tenants, the RTBA will attempt to contact the landlord/agent by telephone.
   
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4. My flatmate has gone overseas and cannot sign the form.
   
   If a party to the bond can be contacted, the RTBA will accept an authority in writing (including a fax copy but not email ) authorising the disbursement or transfer of the bond. This letter must be attached to the form when it is submitted to the RTBA.
   
   If a party cannot be contacted, an application should be made to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal seeking an Order with a direction to the RTBA to repay or transfer the bond.
   
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5. My signature does not match because I have changed my name.
   
   If you have changed your name by marriage or by deed poll, submit a copy of the Marriage Certificate or Change of Name Certificate to the form when it is submitted to the RTBA.
   
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6. I provided my bank account number for my bond repayment. Why was a cheque issued to me?
   
   The RTBA will not issue repayments by transfer to your bank where there is a risk of fraud due to:
   
   a) the bank details provided being altered or over-written;
   b) your signature not being able to be matched.
   
   In some cases where the RTBA has attempted to make the repayment by bank transfer, the bank will not be able to complete the transfer, usually due to an error in the account number. In these cases, the bank returns the money to the RTBA, and we send a cheque to the forwarding address provided.
   
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7. I have made a valid claim but I have not received my bond repayment.
   
   We will hold the repayment, where we have been unable to make the repayment by bank transfer or no forwarding address was provided to which we can send a cheque.
   
   Please contact us for details on how to obtain your repayment via telephone on 1300 137 164 or email rtba@justice.vic.gov.au.
   
   This is a revised process implemented on 1 July 2008. Prior to this we sent a cheque to the last known address, being the rented premises, leading to increased delay and inconvenience when cheques had to be stopped and re-issued.
   
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8. I have received a cheque in joint names and cannot cash it.
   
   If the claim was received with an Order from the Tribunal, and it does not state the break down of the bond to each tenant, the RTBA issues a joint cheque in the names of the tenants provided on the Order.
   
   (Individual repayments will be provided where the Order directs the RTBA on how much is to be paid to each tenant OR a claim form is signed by the tenants agreeing to the division and the signatures can be matched to the specimen signatures held by the RTBA.)
   
   If all payees named on the cheque present themselves at the bank, the bank may be prepared to make the payment.
   
   If you remain unable to cash the cheque, please contact us to discuss other options how to obtain your repayment via telephone on 1300 137 164 or email rtba@justice.vic.gov.au.
   
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