Rentstart Bond Loan

How does it work?

If you’re approved

• Homes NSW fills in the Rental Bond form.
• Homes NSW sends the form to your landlord or real estate agent.
• Your landlord or agent must sign the form.
• Your landlord or agent sends the signed form to the Rental Bond Board.

After this

• Homes NSW pays the bond money directly to the Rental Bond Board.

Paying the loan back

You pay the loan back every two weeks.

Most people pay the loan back over:

• 12 months, or
• 18 months

If you have special needs, you may get up to 36 months to pay it back.

How long you get depends on:

• how much rent you pay, and
• how much income you have.

When your tenancy ends (when you move out)

If you have paid back the loan in full:

• When you move out, the bond is handled in the usual way. 
• If there is no money owed for rent or damage, the bond can be returned to you.

If you still owe money on the loan:

• Homes NSW may take the money you still owe from your part of the bond first. 
• If there is any bond money left, it can then be returned to you.

Am I eligible?

You must be 18 years or older to apply. In some cases, people aged 16 or 17 may also be considered.

You need to give us evidence to show that you, and anyone in your household aged 18 or over, are eligible for both social housing and Rentstart. 

You may be eligible if:

• you’re eligible for social housing
• you’re an Australian Citizen or permanent resident
• you meet the income and assets eligibility limits for your household. Assets means savings and things you own that have value
• you have less than $5,000 in cash assets (savings)
• you do not own (or partly own) any property. Some exceptions may apply, see waiving the property ownership rule
• you have been approved for a private rental property
• the rent is not more than 60% of your household’s gross weekly income (gross means before tax).

If you’re experiencing domestic or family violence, the usual social housing income rule does not apply.
You must provide evidence of:

• your identity
• all income and assets for your household
• your Australian Citizenship or permanent residency
• any land or property fully or partly owned by you or anyone on your application.

Find more information about the evidence you need in the Evidence Requirements Information Sheet.

Can I afford it?

Use the Rentstart Bond Loan Affordability Estimator to see if the rent may be affordable for you.

This is an estimate only. Homes NSW will check your affordability and eligibility when you apply.
For more information, see:

• Rentstart Assistance policy
• Eligibility for Social Housing policy.

What happens after I apply?

We will:

• send you updates by email and text
• let you change your form for up to 14 days
• ask you to upload your documents online
• check your income and ID safely online.