A rental security bond is a payment made by the tenant(s) at the start of a tenancy. Bonds cover some costs rental providers may have to pay when the renter moves out.

At the start of a tenancy, a landlord can ask for up to 4 weeks' rent as a bond (unless rent is over $1,200 per week in a residential tenancy). During the tenancy, a tenant can be asked to top up the bond if there is a rent increase.

The Bonds Administration is an independent government body that holds bonds in trust for the duration of a rental agreement.

The Bond covers damage and other costs rental providers may have to pay when the renter moves out.
The bond and rent are separate payments. Bond cannot be used to pay rent.
The bond can be lodged online or using a paper form (online is recommended).

Bonds must be lodged with Bonds Administration within 14 days of being paid. Bonds Administration will send a record of the bond payment directly to everyone named on the bond when the payment has been received.

How to Lodge the Bond in WA

Landlords can use BondsOnline (Recommended) or the paper-based lodgement form to lodge the bond.

Bonds lodged using the paper bond lodgement form are to be printed, signed and submitted to the Bond Administrator by post, or by sending an email to bondsadmin@dmirs.wa.gov.au.

Registering for Bonds Online:

There are step-by-step instructions on how to set up and register for BondsOnline here.

Already registered? You can take the steps to collect and lodge the bond:

Collect the bond payment from the tenant - If you're using RentBetter, you can collect the funds from the tenant through the platform, and they will be transferred to your bank account, where you can then take the subsequent step of lodgement.
Choose how to lodge the bond (using either Bonds Online or the paper-based lodgement form) and ensure there are enough funds in your nominated account.
If using Bonds Online, sign in and click on the 'Lodge New Bond' tab to start the process of lodging a new bond.
Once the eTransaction is lodged, the tenants and any additional landlords will receive an email with a link to confirm the bond details.
- If tenants or any additional landlords do not approve the transaction within the first 48 hours, you will receive an email asking you to approve the bond payment. After 48 hours, the tenants will not be able to request any changes to the details entered by you.
Once the eTransaction has been approved or 48 hours have passed, all parties will receive an email to advise that the bond lodgement has progressed. The email informs them that the bond money will be lodged with the Bond Administrator.

If you have any questions about the process, you can find the contacts for the Bonds Administration in WA below:

Bonds Administration:

Phone Number - 1300 853 829

Email Address - bondsadmin@dmirs.wa.gov.au

BondsOnline:

Phone Number - 08 6251 2715

Email Address - bondsonline@dmirs.wa.gov.au

Setting up the Bond on RentBetter

👉 On RentBetter, we recommend that you collect the bond payment through the platform and then take the step to lodge the bond through the Bonds Administration.

To do this, choose 'Yes' when asked if you would like RentBetter to collect the bond payment during the tenancy setup steps:

Once the tenant has made the payment in the platform, the funds will be transferred to your bank account and you can take the subsequent step of lodgement through the Bonds Administration online.

Once the bond is confirmed as lodged, you can upload any relevant documentation via the bond section in your account.

Not collecting the bond payment through RentBetter?

If you’re collecting the bond payment outside the platform, once the payment has been confirmed, you can mark the bond as paid in your account and upload any receipts in the bond section for your records.

Bond Lodgement FAQs

What is the maximum bond amount?

Up to 4 weeks' rent as a bond, unless rent is over $1,200 per week in a residential tenancy.

Does a rental bond have to be taken?

There is no legal requirement to take a bond, but it is typically recommended to do so to protect your property in the event of damage or unpaid rent or bills.

How long do I have to lodge the bond?

You must lodge the bond within 14 days of receiving it.

Do I need to lodge the bond, or can I keep it in my account?

No. The bond must be lodged with the Bonds Administration in WA and it is an offence not to do so.

Do I need to issue a receipt?

When a tenant pays a bond, the lessor must issue a receipt immediately when the payment is received, which includes the following information:

Name of the person who paid;
Amount paid;
The date on which it is paid; and
Address of the rental premises.

Can I use the paper-based form for lodgement?

Yes, you can use the paper-based e-form, but it will need to be printed, signed and submitted to the Bond Administrator by post, or by sending an email to bondsadmin@dmirs.wa.gov.au.

Can RentBetter lodge the bond for me?

Unfortunately, we're not able to lodge the bond on your behalf. You should collect the bond payment from the tenant, either yourself or through the platform. Once the payment has been transferred to your account, you can complete the lodgement through the Bonds Online portal or the paper-based e-form.

Is the bond able to be increased or 'topped up' through the tenancy?

A bond may be topped up when there is a:

rent increase
tenant(s) moves out and other tenant(s) stay.

The bond top-up amount must only cover the total bond equal to up to four weeks' rent and you can read more here - https://www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au/changing-bond-bond-variation

Can I take a Pet Bond from my tenant?

Tenants may have to pay a pet bond of up to $260 if they are allowed to keep a pet. More information is available on the Renting with pets page - https://www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au/renting-pets