Bonds that have not been claimed (retained payments)

On this page:

• When you do not receive your repayment
• Claiming a retained repayment
• Repayments not claimed within 12 months

The Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) will hold your bond as a ‘retained repayment’ if it can’t repay you after your bond has been closed. This usually happens if you have not provided valid bank account details.  

When you do not receive your repayment

The RTBA will let you know that your repayment has been retained via email and an SMS (if you have provided your mobile number).  

If you are not sure whether your bond has been retained, check by: 

• using the Find a retained repayment function on the RTBA website, or 
• following the link in the RTBA’s retained repayment notification email 
• using the Look up your bond function on the RTBA website and checking the ‘Claims and Repayments’ section of your bond summary. A retained repayment will have the status ‘Retained’. 

Claiming a retained repayment

To search for a retained repayment request, you must search for your name and email address as listed on the bond which was claimed. If your details have changed, you can update your details on the bond via How to change bond details. 

To request a retained bond repayment: 

1. Search using the Find a retained repayment function on the RTBA website or following the link in the email notification you received. 
2. Click your name on any retained repayments which match your search. 
3. Authenticate your identity through Service Victoria.  
4. Enter your banking details. Double check that they are correct. 
5. Submit your retained repayment request. 
6. The repayment will usually be made on the same business day. Check that you have received the repayment. 

Retained repayments can be repaid to both Australian and international banking accounts. 

Repayments not claimed within 12 months

If you don’t claim your bond for more than 12 months after it closed, it will be transferred to the Victorian Unclaimed Money Register. When this happens, your bond summary will show the status ‘Unclaimed Money – SRO’.  

If you were unable to find your retained repayment on the RTBA website, search for unclaimed money on the State Revenue Office website. If you identify a repayment that belongs to you, follow the instructions to complete an online application claim form.  

Sections of the Act

If you want to know what the law says about bonds that have not been claimed, you can read the following section of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997:

• Section 422 – Unclaimed money.