Consumer Watch: Tips for renters on how to get their bond back at end of lease

If you’re renting a home, chances are you’ve paid a security bond at the start of your lease to guard against damage or unpaid bills. Typically worth four weeks rent, the bond is a large chunk of money that many tenants may be relying on receiving back at the end of a tenancy to help with the costs of moving and finding a new place to live. However, new figures released by the Bond Administration Branch at Consumer Protection revealed only about 35 per cent of tenants received all of their bond money back in 2021. About 13 per cent of tenants lost all their bond last year, while about 52 per cent farewelled part of it. Aside from complaints about bond money taking too long to be released, some of the other major reasons people complain to us include disagreements about the property condition report (PCR), and the property not being properly cleaned when the tenant vacates. When it comes to cleaning and fixing damage, landlords are able to charge a tenant only for the actual costs incurred, not a pre-estimated cost. If tenants and landlords can’t agree, the PCR is relied upon to determine what damage, if any, occurred during the tenancy. For this reason, it is in a tenant’s best interests to ensure the PCR is accurate at the start of the tenancy and for both parties to make sure the report is completed and signed. We also recommend tenants take photos of the property when they move in and include those photos with the PCR when it is returned to the landlord or agent. Tenants and landlords are reminded that a PCR should be completed within 14 days of the end of a tenancy. Given all bond money is required to be lodged with the Bond Administrator, tenants should know that landlords have no right to keep any amount paid as a security bond, unless agreed by the tenant or stipulated in a court order. We offer a free conciliation service to tenants who are in dispute with their landlord over the return of their bond or if a dispute can’t be resolved, either party may make an application for orders to the Magistrates Court of WA. Candice Evans is senior regional officer for Consumer Protection in the Mid West and Murchison