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In most cases, no. Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, landlords cannot charge for professional cleaning unless the property was professionally cleaned at the start of the tenancy and the tenancy agreement explicitly requires it to be returned in that state — and even then, normal wear and tear cannot be charged. Cleaning clauses that require professional cleaning regardless of the property's condition are generally unenforceable.

Yes — and most tenants do. A formal demand letter citing the relevant sections of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 is usually enough to prompt your landlord to release the bond without a Tribunal hearing. The threat of Tribunal action (and potential exemplary damages) makes landlords take a written demand far more seriously than a text or phone call.

Fair wear and tear refers to the gradual and reasonable deterioration of a property through normal use — scuff marks on walls, carpet flattening in high-traffic areas, faded paintwork, minor scratches on floors. Under the RTA, landlords cannot charge tenants for fair wear and tear, only for deliberate damage or damage beyond normal use. This is one of the most commonly disputed areas in NZ tenancy law.

Just $49 NZD for the full demand letter. There's an optional $10 add-on to have us email the letter directly to your landlord from a formal legal address (legal@bondreclaim.co.nz) with read tracking.

No. BondReclaim is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We generate informational demand letters based on the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. For personalised legal advice, consult a qualified NZ lawyer or community law centre.

If your landlord does not respond within the 48-hour deadline, your next step is to apply to the Tenancy Tribunal. Our letter spells this out clearly, including the potential for exemplary damages — which is often enough to prompt a quick resolution. We include a link to the Tribunal application process.

In most cases, no. The demand letter is designed to resolve the dispute before it reaches the Tribunal. The credible threat of Tribunal action (including exemplary damages of up to $1,000) is usually enough to motivate landlords to settle. If they don't, the letter serves as excellent supporting evidence for your Tribunal application.

We cover the most common unfair bond deduction scenarios: normal wear and tear disguised as damage, unenforceable professional cleaning clauses, phantom or inflated repair charges, and landlords who refuse to sign the Bond Refund Form.

The questionnaire takes under five minutes. Your personalised demand letter is generated instantly. Most landlords respond within 48 hours of receiving the letter.

BondReclaim generates a professional demand letter — the outcome depends on your landlord's response and the specifics of your dispute. However, tenancy law strongly favours tenants in cases of normal wear and tear or unenforceable clauses, and our letters cite the relevant law to maximise your chances.