How much bond can a landlord ask for in Western Australia?
A landlord can ask for a maximum of four weeks' rent as a security bond in Western Australia. However, they can also charge an additional pet bond of up to $260 if you have pets, and there is no bond limit if your weekly rent exceeds $1,200.
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How it works in practice
Maximum Bond Limits in WA
In Western Australia, residential tenancy laws strictly cap the amount of money a landlord or property manager can request for a security bond. For the vast majority of rental properties, the maximum security bond is legally limited to exactly four weeks' rent. This rule applies regardless of whether the property is fully furnished or completely unfurnished.
The Purpose of a Pet Bond
If you plan to bring a pet into the rental property, the landlord is legally permitted to charge a separate pet bond. This pet bond is capped at a maximum of $260. The purpose of this specific bond is strictly to cover the cost of fumigation if the pet carries parasites like fleas. It cannot be used to fix physical damage caused by the animal.
Protecting Your Bond Money
Once you pay your security bond, your landlord cannot simply keep the money in their personal bank account. By law, they must lodge the entire amount with the Bond Administrator at the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety within 14 days of receiving it. You will receive an official record confirming that your money is held securely in trust until your tenancy ends.
Important exceptions
There are two main exceptions to the standard bond limits in Western Australia. First, if your weekly rent is greater than $1,200, the strict four-week cap does not apply. In these high-rent situations, the landlord can legally request an unlimited bond amount, which must be negotiated before signing the lease.
Second, the rules regarding pet bonds do not apply to assistance animals. Landlords cannot legally charge the $260 pet bond for certified assistance dogs or guide dogs. Furthermore, pet bonds can only be charged for animals capable of carrying parasites, meaning you generally cannot be charged a pet bond for an animal like a goldfish.
What you should do now
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Calculate your maximum required security bond by simply multiplying your agreed weekly rent amount by four.
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Check if you need to pay an additional pet bond of up to $260 if you are bringing an animal capable of carrying parasites into the home.
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Pay the bond directly to the landlord or real estate agent and ensure you receive a formal, written receipt immediately.
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Sign the official Lodgement of Security Bond form provided by your landlord to formally record the payment.
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Verify that you receive a Record of Payment from the government Bond Administrator within a few weeks to confirm your money was properly lodged.
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