Rooming houses: a guide for residents and operators - NWHN

After a resident leaves the rooming house, the resident andoperator must decide what to do with any bond repayments orgoods left behind.Repaying the bondIf a resident has left the property in a goodcondition and paid all their rent, then theoperator must arrange to repay them theirbond, if they paid one.The operator and resident must completeand sign a ‘Bond Claim’ form, and sendit to the Residential Tenancies BondAuthority (RTBA).‘Bond Claim’ forms canbe generated from theRTBA Online website atrentalbonds.vic.gov.au.Printed forms are availablefrom the RTBA:W rtba.vic.gov.auT 1300 137 164An operator may apply to the VictorianCivil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) tomake a claim on the bond if the resident:• or their visitors have caused damage tothe rooming house• has not kept their room clean• abandons the premises• leaves unpaid bills• loses or damages the operator’s goods• has not paid all their rent.An operator cannot make a claim on thebond for fair wear and tear.Residents and operators should try towork out how the bond money is to bedistributed. If they cannot agree, eitherparty may apply to VCAT to decidethe matter.Repaying bonds from the Directorof HousingThe RTBA will repay a Director of Housing(DoH) bond to the DoH once it receivesthe completed ‘Bond Claim’ form.If a ‘Bond Claim’ form is not lodged, theDoH may not know that the resident hasleft the rooming house; in these cases,the bond will remain registered as anoutstanding debt against the resident.37