Contact Consumer Protection
Tel: 1300 30 40 54
consumer@dmirs.wa.gov.au
See all Consumer Protection office locations
24 April 2017
Since 1 December 2016, Consumer Protection has taken a tougher stance where residential tenancy bonds have not been lodged within the required time. A delay in lodging bond money puts the funds at risk.
The law states that security bonds must be lodged with the Bond Administrator within 14 days of being received from the tenant/s.
When a bond is lodged late Consumer Protection seeks to educate parties on the requirements of the law in the first instance. However, if an owner does not take positive steps to comply with the law for future payments, then Consumer Protection will consider if stronger action is warranted. Anyone with a history of late bond lodgements will be at risk of receiving a $2,000 infringement notice for further late lodgements. Ultimately, the maximum penalty in the Magistrates Court for a single offence is $20,000.
Table 1 below illustrates the number of security bonds lodged with the Bond Administrator in the first three months of 2017, and which were received outside of the prescribed timeframe (14 days).
Month \ Lessor | Private landlords | Others lessors* |
January | 295 | 388 |
February | 330 | 372 |
March | 441 | 429 |
Total | 1066 | 1189 |
* Includes real estate agents, private agents and park operators
Of even greater concern, is that 37% of bonds lodged late by private landlords were lodged more than 30 days late.
To assist you to lodge security bonds correctly and on time we have provided the following checklist:
3. Complete all required information including:
If you do not provide all details there may be delays when it is time for the bond to be returned at the end of the tenancy.
Important: If your tenant is paying the bond by instalments, do not wait until you receive the full amount. Lodge each instalment within 14 days of it being received. Use the Lodgement of Security Bond Money form for the first instalment and then a Variation of Security Bond form for subsequent instalments
More information on bonds can be made by email or by phone 1300 853 829.
Further information is available on the Bonds section.
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