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Bonds
Overview
Keyhook collects and files most bonds for you automatically. To set a bond, open Set Up Tenancy and use the rent and bond step; to add or check a bond number, open Tenancies → Bonds → the Filed Bonds tab; and to return a bond, open the property's End of tenancy card → Prepare bond refund → Submit to Tenancy Services.
Set or change the bond on a tenancy
Note: NZ law caps the general bond at 4 weeks' rent and the pet bond at 2 weeks' rent, and Keyhook warns you if you go over. Adding a pet bond to a tenancy that didn't originally allow pets also needs a tenancy variation so the change is reflected on the agreement.
Add or check a bond number
Note: Once the full bond has been received and reconciled, the tenancy appears under To be filed; lodge the selected bonds from that tab and Keyhook submits them to Tenancy Services, after which the bond number comes back automatically and shows here. Add one by hand only for a bond filed outside Keyhook.
Receipt a bond payment from your bank feed
Note: A general bond and a pet bond are receipted as two separate payments — their amounts together must match the transaction total before it will reconcile.
File a bond refund at the end of a tenancy
Note: Complete your final inspection before you prepare the refund. Your agency must be authenticated with RealMe before a bond refund can be submitted, and only agency (landlord) users can prepare and submit refunds. Any funds you claim are deposited directly to your agency's bank account by Tenancy Services, and every tenant named on the original bond lodgement must be included — add anyone who isn't on Keyhook with + Add tenant manually.
Good to know
- The Bonds page tracks each bond's progress: once a tenant's bond payment has been received and reconciled, the tenancy appears under To be filed, ready to be lodged, and moves to Filed Bonds with a bond number once it's lodged with Tenancy Services.
- A bond refund can't total more than the bond that was lodged — the tenant refunds, landlord claim and on-hold amounts together are capped at the general and pet bond amounts.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to file the bond with Tenancy Services myself?
No, you don't deal with Tenancy Services directly. Keyhook collects each tenant's bond, and once the full amount is received and reconciled the tenancy appears under To be filed, where you lodge the selected bonds — Keyhook then submits them to Tenancy Services and brings the bond number back automatically. You only add a bond number by hand for a bond filed outside Keyhook, such as a migrated tenancy.
Where do I find a tenancy's bond number or lodgement status?
Open Tenancies → Bonds → the Filed Bonds tab. Click the number in the Bond Number column to open Tenancy Services Bond Information and Search by its BN- or LDG- number.
Can I add a pet bond after the tenancy has started?
Yes — reopen Set Up Tenancy and update the rent and bond step. If pets weren't originally allowed, record a tenancy variation too so the change is reflected on the agreement.
What bond number format does a refund need?
The refund needs a valid Tenancy Services number in the format BN-12345678 (BN- followed by 8 digits). If yours is rejected, Tenancy Services may have reissued it — use the updated number, or contact them to confirm one.
Can I keep part of the bond for arrears or damage?
Yes. On the refund, enter an Amount on hold (for an unresolved dispute) or a Landlord claim (for arrears, cleaning or repairs) with a reason, then refund the rest to the tenants. The totals can't exceed the bond that was lodged.