Deducting bond

Our Experts Answer:

You have raised two issues here.

Firstly, it is unlawful for a tenant to withhold rent in anticipation of the landlord claiming the bond. The purpose of the bond is a security against any debt that the tenant may owe the landlord at end of tenancy. This includes rent, damage and cleaning. If the tenant chooses not to pay the last four weeks’ rent there remains no security for any other end-of-tenancy costs. All rent is required to be paid on the date it falls due.

Secondly, a landlord cannot lodge a debt on a credit reporting website without first having received an order of the Tenancy Tribunal. In short, until the Tenancy Tribunal makes an order the debt is not settled – it is still in dispute.