Rentstart Bond Loan client fact sheet

Fact sheet for Rentstart applicants, addressing eligibility, document requirements, and application steps.

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What is the Rentstart Bond Loan?

The Rentstart Bond Loan is an interest-free loan from the NSW Government to help you pay part or all of your rental bond. You might be able to get this loan if you: 

  • are an Australian citizen or permanent resident are a resident of New South Wales
  • have less than $5,000 in cash assets
  • are eligible for social housing
  • have been approved for a private rental property
  • will pay no more than 60% of your household’s total gross (before tax) weekly income in rent. You pay the loan back to Homes NSW, but you don’t pay any interest. 

How does the Rentstart Bond Loan work?

  • You can apply online. Make sure your real estate agent or landlord can fill out their part of the form.
  • If your loan is approved, both you and your agent/landlord will be told in writing. 
  • Your agent or landlord will lodge the bond as usual.
  • If you only get a partial loan, you pay your part of the bond to the agent or landlord, and Homes NSW pays the rest.
  • You pay back the loan to Homes NSW in regular payments.
  • If you need extra help, you might also be able to get up to two weeks’ Advance Rent.

How much will I pay and how do I pay it?

  • Your payment plan depends on how much of your income goes to rent.
  • You’ll make payments every two weeks, over 12 or 18 months.

If you get Centrelink payments:

  • Your payments will be automatically taken out using the Bond Loan Deduction Scheme.

If Centrelink is not your main income:

  • You can pay by BPAY or online through the MyHousing Online website.

What happens to my bond when my tenancy ends?

If you finish paying off your loan before your tenancy ends:

  • You can claim your bond back from the Rental Bond Board.

If your tenancy ends before you finish paying off your loan:

  • Homes NSW will get the bond back from the Rental Bond Board. You’ll get back any money you’ve already paid towards your loan. If your landlord or agent makes a claim on the bond, you’ll need to pay back any remaining debt to Homes NSW.

How do I get more information or apply?

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