The state government has made an overhaul of the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) system, to make it easier for renters, such as those in Melbourne’s north, to reclaim their bond payments.
The $9 million upgrade of the online system will now allow renters to pay money directly to the RTBA, rather than paying a rental provider or real estate agent.
The new update will simplify the bond payment process for renters and give them the option to submit their money directly.
The online system will also be integrated with Service Victoria identity verification and process bond repayments and bond loans.
Verifying users online means they can change their bond details and claim their bonds without the need for paper forms and signatures.
Integration with the systems used by real estate agents will also make the bond process easier for these businesses, allowing for faster lodgements, transfers and claims.
The new website and system will also be easier to access on mobile devices and have more payment options, making the process of lodging, transferring or claiming a bond simpler.
Reforms introduced in March 2021 mean renters can now apply directly to the RTBA to have all or part of their bond released without needing to wait for the rental provider or agent to lodge their bond claim.
This means renters are able to make a claim for their bond claim without their rental provider’s agreement and the RTBA alerts the rental provider and other co-renters to the renter’s claim, giving them 14 days to dispute it.
