23 December 2020

Rent in advance guidelines

Some renters have contacted us recently with concerns about receiving requests to pay more than two weeks rent in advance. So it’s a good time to provide information about the rent in advance requirements under WA tenancy laws.

The Residential Tenancies Act 1987 only allows landlords and property managers to ask for rent up to two weeks in advance. If your landlord or property manager requests more rent in advance, they may be breaking the law and risk a penalty of $5,000.

It is your responsibility to make sure rent payments reach the landlord or property manager by the due date. You may want to pay rent more than two weeks in advance - say if your employer pays you monthly. If you choose to alter the payment frequency, notify your landlord or property manager in writing.

Example

Renter Amy’s agreement requires fortnightly rent payments, starting on Monday 2 November 2020. Amy gets paid monthly and wants to pay her rent four weeks in advance. Amy emails her landlord advising of her choice, making her next rent payment due on Monday 30 November 2020. As she pays by direct deposit, Amy must factor in the time it takes for the money to transfer to her landlord’s account.

Refund risk

Paying rent more than two weeks in advance can be risky. Particularly if for some reason the tenancy ends earlier than the contracted end date. Your property manager may have already paid the funds to the landlord and not be able to provide a refund. You may have to seek a refund from the landlord. If the landlord refuses to refund the money to you, then you may need to take legal action such as a civil case in the courts.

More information

Further information about renting a home, including rental payments is available on our website, by ringing our Contact Centre on 1300 304 054 or emailing consumer@dmirs.wa.gov.au.

Six hundred dollars household electricity credit

As part of the State Budget, the McGowan Government announced a $600 household electricity credit to help families save money on power bills leading up to Christmas.

It's expected this one-off credit will give the average household about four months of relief from paying their electricity account. It's available to eligible Western Australian households from 1 November 2020.

Synergy and Horizon Power customers

You do not need to apply for the credit if you receive Synergy or Horizon Power bills in your name. Six hundred dollars will automatically be credited to your account issued after 1 November 2020. Contact your provider if you would like more information.

Energy Concession Extension Scheme

The Energy Concession Extension Scheme (ECES) provides an annual payment to assist with electricity costs. If you registered for the ECES before 4 October 2020, you do not need to apply for this credit. It will be paid directly into your bank account before Christmas.

If you registered after 4 October 2020, you need to apply for the household electricity credit and provide information about your electricity costs.

For more information contact RevenueWA on (08) 9262 1486.

If your electricity bill is issued by third party

If a third party charges you for power and you are not eligible for the ECES, you need to apply online for the electricity credit before 31 March 2021. This third party may be your landlord, property manager, strata manager, park operator, or retirement village operator.

Visit the Department of Finance website for eligibility and application details.

More information

The Department of Finance’s Household Electricity Credit fact sheet can provide you with additional information.