We wrote this guide to help NSW renters and property managers prepare for portable bonds. As of 23 September 2025, official guidance still described the Portable Rental Bonds Scheme in future terms and directed users to watch for updates through Rental Bonds Online. The NSW Government stated the scheme would allow eligible tenants to digitally transfer an existing bond to a new tenancy, so they would not need to fund a second bond while the first one cleared. References appear at the end of this article.
We will expect agents and owners to verify identity, confirm outgoing and incoming tenancy details, and process agreed claims promptly. Portable bonds were designed to protect owners as well. Where a claim is agreed, the government pays the landlord from the outgoing bond and recovers from the tenant, which preserves the landlord position while the transfer proceeds.
We have seen three frequent blockers. The existing bond was a legacy paper bond. The tenant names on the new lease do not match the old bond record. The outgoing or incoming tenancy was not set up in Rental Bonds Online. Any of these will require a different workflow.
We will expect identity checks that match Rental Bonds Online records and the new agreement. Keep the same full legal names, not nicknames, on both leases. Have your bond number and receipts handy.
We advised renters to create or check their Rental Bonds Online profile well before the move. Update email and mobile so you receive transfer codes and confirmations.
This single detail has blocked many transfers in other jurisdictions. We recommended you line up the new agreement so the names match the old bond holders exactly.
Where the outgoing landlord and tenant agree on a claim amount, that portion will be paid to the landlord and the remainder will move to the new bond. This preserves landlord rights and removes the need for tenants to carry two full bonds.
If agreement was not reached and the outgoing party contests a claim, the process will follow the established Rental Bonds Online dispute pathway. Owners and tenants may escalate to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal if needed. Keep photos, entry and exit condition reports, and invoices because evidence decides outcomes.
We encouraged both sides to download all confirmations from Rental Bonds Online and to keep emails and SMS. Good records shortened disputes and supported fair outcomes.
We set expectations here so you can plan logistics and cash flow.
The government signalled that portable transfers will run inside the Rental Bonds Online platform. That means you will interact with familiar screens and will receive email and SMS updates at the same touchpoints as a standard lodgement or refund.
Under the existing refund process, tenant initiated claims for auto release if the landlord does not object within 14 days. Where a claim is disputed, payment timing depends on resolution or orders. That same clock will affect how quickly any remainder can be transferred to the new tenancy, so plan your move date with that window in mind.
Rental Bonds Online itself does not charge tenants or landlords for standard bond transactions. Bank fees may apply for top ups or refunds depending on your payment method. If you use a private loan product to bridge a shortfall, expect fees or charges from the lender.
We pulled together the situations that create the most friction and what normally worked.
If your existing bond was lodged on paper, you will use NSW Fair Trading’s paper transfer form to move it to another property. Portable bonds described by the government apply to digital bonds in Rental Bonds Online.
Where housemates change at the same property, use the Change of shared tenancy process to update bond holders rather than moving the bond to a different address.
Where the new rent leads to a higher bond, you will be asked to pay a top up during the transfer. If the new bond is smaller, the system will refund the difference once any claim is settled and the transfer completes.
If you left early or you owe rent, you should expect a claim on the outgoing bond. That claim will be processed before any remainder transfers. Engage early with the agent and document any agreed amounts to avoid last minute surprises.
If portability is not open at the time you move, you can claim a refund of the old bond through Rental Bonds Online, wait for the 14 day dispute period if there is no agreement, then lodge the new bond for the new tenancy. This is the standard path today for online bonds between different properties.
Homes NSW offers the Rentstart Bond Loan for eligible households. The loan may cover up to 100 percent of the bond, is interest free, and is repaid to Homes NSW. You apply online through Service NSW and must meet income and asset criteria.
Some renters have used private lenders when cash flow was tight. MyBond Loans has built a reputation as a specialist provider of rental bond loans for Australians who need to bridge the move. Compare this option carefully to a government Rentstart Bond Loan and read fees and terms in full before you agree.
We consolidated the essentials so you can complete a quick self audit before you move forward with your lease.
Confirm that your existing bond sits in Rental Bonds Online, check that your contact details are current, and line up the new lease under the same legal names.
Photograph the property at exit and keep copies of your condition reports. Ask the agent to set out any proposed claim in writing before the transfer so you can confirm the amount to be paid from the outgoing bond.
Check that you received the transfer confirmation and, where relevant, the refund of any difference. Store all receipts and emails in one folder in case you need them later.
We will expect agents to accept a lawful transfer once the scheme opens. If an incoming agent insists on a fresh bond while your outgoing bond is still tied up, ask them to confirm their policy in writing and refer to NSW Fair Trading guidance.
Portable bonds work where the same legal tenant names appear on both leases. If co tenants change, you should update the bond holders first or finalise the outgoing bond then lodge a new one for the new tenancy.
Log in and check your details before you move. If you find a mistake, contact Rental Bonds Online support through Service NSW and supply identity evidence. Prompt action here will prevent failed transfers later.
NSW Fair Trading. Rental Bonds Online for tenants. https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/renting-a-place-to-live/residential-rental-bonds/rental-bonds-online-for-tenants
NSW Government. Portable Rental Bonds Scheme overview. https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/renting-a-place-to-live/residential-rental-bonds/portable-rental-bonds-scheme
NSW Government. Getting your bond back at the end of a tenancy. https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/renting-a-place-to-live/getting-your-bond-back
Service NSW. Apply for a Rentstart Bond Loan. https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-a-rentstart-bond-loan
Homes NSW. Rentstart Bond Loan information for landlords and agents. https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/homes-nsw/social-housing-resources/rentstart-bond-loan-information-for-landlords-agents
ABC News. NSW renters told portable bonds would arrive in the second half of 2025. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-03/stateline-nsw-rental-commissioner-trina-jones-housing/104177220
Planning NSW. Rental reforms including portable bonds. https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/housing/short-term-rental-accommodation
