Change of Tenant Bond NZ: How to Handle the Bond When Flatmates Swap

Flatmate turnover is one of the most common bond transactions for NZ landlords — and one of the most confusing. When a tenant leaves a shared tenancy and a replacement moves in, the bond record needs updating. But the process depends on whether at least one original tenant stays.

When at Least One Original Tenant Remains

This is the standard scenario: a three-bedroom flat where one tenant leaves and a new person takes their spot. At least one tenant from the original tenancy agreement continues in occupation.

The landlord submits the Change of Tenant request in Bond Hub or connected property management software. Paper forms have not been accepted since 29 June 2026. All tenants receive a notification and must respond. If you need to remove the outgoing tenant and add the incoming tenant, submit two requests: remove the outgoing tenant first, then add the incoming tenant. This updates the bond record. If the tenants settle the departing tenant's share privately, the bond amount held by Tenancy Services does not change.

The Financial Settlement Is Private

Here's what confuses most landlords: the money changing hands between the outgoing and incoming tenant is a private arrangement. Tenancy Services doesn't mediate it.

Typically, the incoming tenant pays the outgoing tenant their share of the bond directly. If the bond is $2,400 split three ways, the incoming tenant pays $800 to the outgoing tenant. Alternatively, the landlord can arrange a refund of the departing tenant's share, then collect that share from the incoming tenant. If using this refund option, submit the refund request before the Change of Tenant request, then lodge the new bond payment within 23 working days of receiving it.

If the outgoing tenant owes rent or caused damage, negotiate that separately. The Change of Tenant request only updates the names on the bond record.

When All Original Tenants Leave

If every tenant on the original agreement vacates, a Change of Tenant form can't be used. Instead:

1. Refund the existing bond — process a full bond refund through Bond Hub with the outgoing tenants
2. Collect a new bond — take a fresh bond from the incoming tenants
3. Lodge the new bond — lodge within 23 working days through Bond Hub

This is essentially ending one tenancy's bond and starting another. It creates a new Bond ID number.

Bond Transfers Between Properties

A different scenario: a tenant is moving from one of your properties to another (or from another landlord's property to yours). The tenant can ask to have the bond refunded to the new landlord if that landlord agrees. The current landlord submits the refund request in Bond Hub, and the tenant enters the new landlord's bank account number.

If the new bond is higher, the tenant pays the difference to the new landlord, who must give a receipt and lodge it with Tenancy Services within 23 working days. Any amount claimed by the current landlord or returned to the tenant is handled through the refund request.

If the parties cannot agree on the refund or any amount claimed, either can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal.

Keeping Records

Document every tenant change with the signed tenancy variation and Bond Hub confirmation, the date of the swap, and a note of any financial settlement between outgoing and incoming tenants. If a dispute arises later about who paid what portion of the bond, you'll want a clear paper trail.

For the complete tenant change workflow — including a step-by-step checklist and the working-day calculator — see our NZ Bond Lodgement guide.

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