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A tenant vacates a property leaving $800 in unpaid water charges and $300 in cleaning costs. The bond held is $2000. What is the correct procedure for bond disbursement?

Correct Answer

B) Lodge a bond claim with the authority, keeping evidence in case the tenant disputes it.

The bond is held by the state bond authority, so the landlord or agent must lodge a claim with it. If the tenant agrees, both can sign the claim and the authority pays out accordingly; if the tenant disputes it, the authority does not decide the dispute, and the matter goes to the state tribunal, which decides on the evidence. Keeping the water bills, cleaning invoices and condition reports is what makes a disputed claim succeed.

Answer Options
A
Deduct the $1,100 from the bond directly and refund the remaining $900 to the tenant yourself.
B
Lodge a bond claim with the authority, keeping evidence in case the tenant disputes it.
C
Agree the amount with the tenant and pay the landlord from the agency trust account.
D
Keep the whole bond on hold until a court has ruled on every item that is in dispute.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Only the bond authority can pay out a lodged bond, so the correct procedure is a bond claim to the authority. Evidence matters because a disputed claim is decided by the tribunal.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

bond disbursementformal claim processstate authoritysupporting evidencetenancy legislation
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