Tasmania Bond Dispute Process: RTC Resolution Step by Step

When a Dispute Gets Referred to the RTC

A bond dispute in Tasmania starts when one party rejects a claim in MyBond during the 10-day response window. The moment that happens, the Rental Deposit Authority refers the matter to the Residential Tenancy Commissioner under Sections 29DA and 29F of the Residential Tenancy Act 1997.

The RTC is an independent statutory officer — not a court, not a mediator. The Commissioner reviews written evidence from both sides and issues a binding determination directing the RDA on how to split the bond.

The Evidence Submission Window

After the referral, the RTC sends both parties a formal notice with a deadline for submitting evidence — typically 10 to 14 days. This is a paper-based administrative process in which both parties submit written evidence.

What Evidence a Landlord Needs

The RTC expects a structured evidence bundle. Missing one piece can sink an otherwise valid claim:

• Signed tenancy agreement — proves the contractual terms and bond amount
• Section 26 condition report — if an owner requires a bond, they must give the tenant two copies signed by the owner on or before the day the tenant occupies the premises; the tenant has two days after receipt to add comments, sign and return one copy
• Exit condition report — your record of the property's state when the tenant vacated
• Timestamped photographs — entry and exit photos showing the same areas for direct comparison
• Paid invoices or professional repair quotes — the RTC requires proof of actual financial loss, not estimates
• Section 61 rent ledger — a complete record of every rent payment if you're claiming arrears
• Written communications — emails, texts or MyBond messages between you and the tenant about the damage or arrears

The Depreciation Trap

The single biggest reason landlord claims get reduced is ignoring depreciation. The RTC applies standard ATO depreciation schedules to damaged items. If your tenant ruins an eight-year-old carpet with a 10-year useful life, you're entitled to recover 20% of the replacement cost — not 100%.

Claiming the full replacement cost for worn items without accounting for depreciation flags your submission as either uninformed or opportunistic. Neither helps your case.

Betterment Is Not Allowed

You cannot use the bond to upgrade. Replacing a 15-year-old oven damaged by the tenant with a brand-new model at their full expense is betterment — the RTC will reduce the claim to the residual value of the original appliance.

How the RTC Decides

The Commissioner weighs the entry condition report against exit evidence, checks whether the landlord's claimed losses are genuine and properly documented, applies depreciation where relevant, and issues a written determination. The RDA then disburses the bond according to that order.

The process is entirely paper-based and bound by procedural fairness. Both sides get to present their case, but the quality of documentation matters far more than the volume of words.

If You Disagree With the Decision

Either party can appeal an RTC determination to the Magistrates Court of Tasmania within seven days of receiving the decision. The appeal is heard as a rehearing — the Magistrate considers all evidence fresh and is not bound by the Commissioner's findings. More on that process in our guide to bond appeals in Tasmania.

Building a Dispute-Ready File From Day One

The best time to prepare for a bond dispute is the day the tenancy starts. A properly executed condition report, consistent inspection records and organised repair documentation make the difference between a claim that holds and one that collapses under scrutiny.

Our Tasmania Rental Bond Guide includes an RTC Evidence Index Sheet that organises entry and exit condition reports, photographs and repair quotes into the format the Commissioner expects.

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