How long does my landlord have to return my bond in the Northern Territory?
Your landlord must refund your bond within 7 days of you vacating, minus any agreed deductions. The NT works differently to every other state — there's no central bond authority.
Want Compass to draft your 7-day refund demand and prep your NTCAT evidence, citing the right NT sections?
In the NT, your bond is held by your landlord or agent directly (they must keep it in an NT bank account), not by a government authority. They can't spend it without authorisation. When you move out, they must refund it within 7 days — and if part of it is in dispute, they must still pay you any undisputed amount within those 7 days. If they don't refund it, or you disagree with deductions, you apply to the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT). (Heads up: if a bond goes unclaimed for 6 months it's transferred to the Tenancy Trust.)
What you can do right now
- Put your refund request in writing and reference the 7-day rule.
- Keep your entry condition report and dated photos — with no central authority, your own records are everything in the NT.
- If they miss the 7 days or deduct unfairly, apply to NTCAT.
Related questions
Free help
- Darwin Community Legal Service (Tenants' Advice)
- NT Consumer Affairs
General information, not legal advice.
Want Compass to draft your 7-day refund demand and prep your NTCAT evidence, citing the right NT sections?