Rental bond and rent in advance in Western Australia

Rental bonds (Western Australia, Consumer Protection)

A rental security bond is a payment made by the tenants at the start of a tenancy. A bond is different from rent. At the start of a tenancy a landlord can ask for:

• up to 4 weeks rent as a bond, unless the rent is over $1,200 per week in a residential tenancy
• up to 2 weeks rent in advance

A landlord does not have to take a bond, but if they do, these rules apply. During the tenancy a tenant can be asked to top up the bond if there is a rent increase.

Lodging: bonds must be lodged with Bonds Administration within 14 days of being paid. Bonds Administration sends a record of the bond payment to everyone named on the bond once the payment is received, and holds the money until the end of the tenancy. The most current forms must be used - old or incorrect forms are returned unaccepted.

Condition reports: property condition reports are important evidence for bond claims, and landlords must give tenants two copies before they move in.

Releasing the bond: the bond can be released when Bonds Administration has received written agreement from all tenants and landlords on a bond release, or an order. Disagreement about how the bond is paid out takes longer, so tenants and landlords are advised to agree on a fair amount for any claims first.

Source: Consumer Protection, Government of Western Australia (page last updated 28 March 2026).