Assessing a Bond Grant
When a client needs help with a rental bond, a Bond Grant should be considered if they meet the qualifications.
A Bond Grant is available for people who are likely to be able to retain rental housing but require some assistance to get or keep it.
A client may need help with a General Bond, a Pet Bond or both. For the purposes of a Bond Grant, these two types of bond are considered to be the same.
A Bond Grant is a discretionary grant. MSD needs to consider the client's individual circumstances and determine whether the Bond Grant should be granted.
In order to make a decision to grant, MSD must consider:
- the purpose of the Housing Support Programme, including whether granting a Bond Grant would be the correct use of the payment
- any other financial assistance available to the client that could be used to meet their need
- whether the client and their partner (if any) could meet the need from their own resources, including accessing cash assets or receiving support from other Government agencies
- any impact on the client, their partner (if any), and their dependent children (if any) if their need is not met and
- whether the client intends to stay in the accommodation for fewer than 28 days
Depending on the client's circumstances, MSD may also consider the following factors:
- whether the client or their partner (if any) has caused or contributed to the need for a Bond Grant
- whether the client or their partner (if any) will be able to meet their essential living expenses if a Bond Grant is paid
- the existing debt of the client and their partner (if any)
- whether their accommodation is suitable to live in
- any other matters MSD think are relevant
A Bond Grant can be declined if a grant would not be appropriate after having considered the circumstances of the client and their partner (if any) and their dependent children (if any).
When assessing a Bond Grant for the cost of a Pet Bond, MSD must consider the same eligibility and discretionary criteria as for any other Bond Grant application.
Pet Bond
From 1 December 2025, a Pet Bond of up to two weeks rent may be included in a tenancy agreement or by written request from the landlord. A Pet Bond can be considered as part of the Bond Grant. A Pet Bond cannot be requested for a pet that was already kept at the property, by mutual agreement between the landlord and tenant, before 1 December 2025.
Assistance with a Pet Bond can only be considered at the start of the tenancy if the total Bond Grant (including any Pet Bond) is at or under the relevant payment limit. For example, if a landlord requires two weeks of General Bond and two weeks of Pet Bond.
A Bond Grant can only be considered for an increase to a Pet Bond when the client needs an extra bond payment due to an increase in rent and the total Bond Grant is at or under the relevant payment limit.
Below are different scenarios and examples related to Pet Bonds. These are provided to help you understand how Pet Bond requirements may apply in various situations.
Tenancy Renewals and Variations
A tenancy renewal or variation is not considered a new tenancy for Bond Grant purposes if the client remains in the same property with the same landlord.
If a Bond Grant has already been issued for the tenancy, MSD cannot approve a second Bond Grant, regardless of the type of renewal or variation. This includes where a tenancy is renewed or varied to allow a pet and the landlord is requesting a Pet Bond.
Example - Tenancy renewal with a Right of Renewal Clause
Jordan entered a tenancy in June 2025 and received a Bond Grant from MSD at that time. His tenancy agreement includes a right of renewal clause, allowing him to continue the tenancy on the same terms and conditions.
- Existing pet: Jordan already has a dog. At renewal on 1 December 2025, the landlord requests a Pet Bond. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, the landlord cannot request a Pet Bond for a pet that was already lawfully kept before 1 December 2025.
- New pet: Jordan adopts a dog at renewal. The landlord consents and adds a Pet Bond clause to the renewed agreement. He requests MSD for a Bond Grant to cover the Pet Bond cost. MSD will consider this on a case-by-case basis:
- If Jordan asks MSD for a Bond Grant before adopting the dog, MSD will decline because the cost is avoidable. This aligns with MSD's HSP intent to help clients obtain and retain accommodation, not to fund discretionary choices.
- If Jordan adopts the dog and then requests a Bond Grant for the Pet Bond cost, MSD will assess whether Jordan caused or contributed to the situation. If MSD determines that Jordan caused or contributed to the cost (for example, by choosing to adopt the pet without budgeting for it), the Bond Grant will be declined.
Example - Tenancy renewal without a Right of Renewal Clause
Sophie entered a tenancy in July 2025 with her cat and received a Bond Grant from MSD at that time. Her fixed term tenancy ends in December 2025, and she signs a new agreement with the same landlord to continue living in the same property. The new agreement includes a Pet Bond clause.
The agreement is legally treated as a new tenancy under tenancy law. MSD can consider approving a Bond Grant for the Pet Bond cost because this is an additional cost associated with the new tenancy, and the client did not cause or contribute to this change.
Example – Bond increase due to an increase in rent
Gabrielle has received a notice that her rent will be increasing by $40 a week, to a total rent of $465 a week from 3 August 2026. She will need to pay an additional $80 to her landlord to top up her existing general bond of 2 weeks rent and $80 to top up her existing Pet Bond which is also 2 weeks rent.
MSD can consider approving a Bond Grant for the general and Pet Bond increase of $160 as it is not more than the relevant payment limit (4 weeks of the amount of the increase in rent).
