Portable Rental Bond Scheme Victoria: What Landlords Need to Know

Victoria's Portable Rental Bond Scheme lets renters move the financial value of their existing RTBA bond directly to a new property without paying a second deposit upfront. For renters, it's a lifeline. For landlords encountering it for the first time, it raises an obvious question: what happens to my claim rights if the renter ports the bond and then I find damage?

How the PRBS Works

When an eligible renter decides to move, they can request through RTBA Online to port their bond to a new rental property. Instead of waiting for the existing bond to be released, claiming it back, and then paying a fresh bond at the next property, the financial value transfers directly.

The renter notifies the new rental provider of their intention to port via RTBA Online.

The scheme is designed to reduce the financial barrier of moving — particularly for renters who can't afford to pay a second bond while the first is still held.

Your Claim Rights Are Protected

Porting a bond does not extinguish your right to claim against the original bond. If you have a valid claim — unpaid rent, damage beyond fair wear and tear, a property left in a condition below the standard recorded on the entry condition report — you can still submit it.

Here's what happens if your valid claim is approved or ordered by VCAT:

1. You submit a bond claim through the RTBA as usual.
2. The Victorian State Government pays the approved claim amount to you on the renter's behalf.
3. That paid amount then converts to an enforceable statutory debt owed by the renter to the State.

You do not need to pursue the renter directly for an approved amount paid by the State.

What to Watch For

• Timing. The PRBS transfer can happen quickly once the renter initiates it. Conduct your exit inspection promptly after the renter vacates so you can identify and document any claim; porting does not extinguish your right to claim.
• Evidence still matters. The same rules apply: entry condition report, exit photos, 3-day pre-claim evidence delivery, depreciation calculations. The PRBS doesn't change the evidentiary standard for a successful claim.
• The RTBA portal handles it. You don't need to interact with the new property's bond record. Your claim and any dispute process happen through the standard RTBA channels for your bond number.

Bond Loans (Homes Victoria / RentAssist)

Some renters access their bond through a government-funded bond loan via Homes Victoria (formerly RentAssist). These loans are paid directly to the RTBA.

When a tenancy ends and the bond is refunded, any loan portion is returned directly to Homes Victoria — not to the renter. Your claim rights against the bond aren't affected by whether the bond was funded by the renter or by a government loan.

The Rental Bonds in Victoria guide explains how the PRBS and bond loans interact with your end-of-tenancy claim process, including how claims work when a bond is ported.

See more Victoria guides →