NZ Bond Lodgement Cost: Is There a Fee to Lodge a Bond?

Lodging a tenancy bond with Tenancy Services in New Zealand is free. There is no government fee, no processing charge, and no administration cost. Bond lodgements must now be completed online through Bond Hub or connected property management software; paper bond forms are no longer accepted.

What the Landlord Pays

Nothing. You transfer the tenant's bond money to Tenancy Services, and that money goes into the Residential Tenancies Trust Account. MBIE holds it in trust for the duration of the tenancy and earns interest on the pooled funds. There is no fee deducted from the bond amount or charged to either party for the lodgement itself.

The same applies to bond refunds, tenant changes, and bond transfers — no processing fees.

The Only Bond-Related Fee

The one cost that can arise is the Tenancy Tribunal application fee of $29. This applies if a bond dispute escalates to a formal hearing — for example, when the tenant disputes your deduction claim or when one party refuses to agree to a refund and the matter cannot be resolved through mediation.

You can apply online through Tenancy Services. The fee is paid by whichever party files the application.

What You Cannot Charge the Tenant

Under the Residential Tenancies Act, landlords cannot charge tenants any administrative fees related to the bond. This includes:

• No letting fees — banned under section 17A
• No key money or holding deposits — prohibited under sections 17 and 18A
• No bond processing fees — there is no legal basis to charge the tenant for lodgement paperwork

Charging any of these is an unlawful act carrying up to $1,500 in exemplary damages.

Why Free Lodgement Matters

The zero-cost lodgement model is part of New Zealand's central public trust system. Unlike countries where landlords choose a private deposit scheme (and may pay a registration fee), all NZ bonds go through one government system at no charge. The trade-off is that the landlord cannot hold the money privately — every dollar must go to MBIE within 23 working days.

For the full lodgement process with a compliance checklist, see the NZ Bond Lodgement Guide.

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