More than $600,000 up for grabs in unclaimed bonds – are you on the list?
Posted by editor (editor) on Sep 24 2009
2009 >>

More than 3,200 people and businesses in the Gold Coast local government area could soon be sharing in more than $600,000 in unclaimed bond refunds, Member for Southport Peter Lawlor said today.

Mr Lawlor said the unclaimed bond refunds were being held by the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA).

“Anyone who has rented a property over the past ten years should check the RTA website to see if there’s any money owing to them.  They could be in for a windfall,” Mr Lawlor said.

Mr Lawlor said that over the years, unclaimed bond refunds around the state had built up to around $5 million, less than 1% of the total bonds held by the RTA.

“The unclaimed bond money pool has grown as a result of Queenslanders either forgetting to cash their bond refund cheques, or moving house without notifying the RTA of their new address,” he/she said.

“The RTA has tried to refund the money, only to have cheques returned.  They can only send notices of rental bond claims and cheques to a tenant’s last known address.

“Some people don’t realise they’re eligible for a bond refund so they don’t provide the RTA with a forwarding address when they move on.”

“The RTA is encouraging tenants to have bond refunds paid directly into their bank accounts to avoid missing out on their refund.”

A full list of names of people owed bond money can be found on the RTA website at www.rta.qld.gov.au

“I urge anyone who has ever rented a property in Queensland to check the website and see if their name is on the list.  If their name comes up, they can contact the RTA on 1300 366 311 to arrange for their bond to be refunded directly into their nominated bank account,” he/she said.

Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 9:37 AM