The new process for releasing a bond will start on 28 March 2026.
Several information sessions were held with tenants, landlords and real estate professionals. The following questions and answers came from those sessions.
On 28 March – updated content will be available from this website on Releasing a bond.
Q: Which team do I make an application to?
A: Submit your Security Bond Release Application (bond release application) to Bonds Administration. This team manages bond lodgement and payout processes, maintains bond records, and oversees the BondsOnline system.
If an application is disputed, Bonds Administration will refer it to the Determinations Branch. This team is made up of authorised delegates of the Commissioner for Consumer Protection, who make bond release decisions on the Commissioner’s behalf.
Q: Who can apply for the release of the bond under the new process?
A: Anyone on the rental agreement can apply for the release of the bond by submitting a bond release application. Bonds Administration will notify everyone else listed on the bond about the application. If everyone agrees, the bond will be paid out.
If someone disputes or does not respond, the application will be referred to the Determinations Branch. The Determinations Branch will invite everyone listed on the bond to submit information and evidence before a decision is made.
Q: When can I apply for the release of security bond?
A: A bond release application should be submitted after the following steps have been completed:
Q: What happens if a tenant applies to release the bond before the final inspection has occurred, and outgoing PCR has been issued?
A: If a tenant applies straight after the tenancy ends, the landlord or property manager will be notified and have 14 days to respond. This timeframe usually allows enough time to complete the final inspection and issue the outgoing PCR before deciding whether to agree to or dispute the bond release. If no agreement is reached within this period, the matter will be referred to the Determinations Branch. The bond will not be released automatically.
Q:Can I claim an amount greater than the bond amount on the Security Bond Release Application?
A: No. You cannot claim more than the total bond amount held by Bonds Administration.
The pet bond can only be claimed for pest control (fumigation) or pet-related damage. The security bond can also be used to cover the cost of cleaning and damage caused by a pet if damage exceeds the value of the pet bond. However, a pet bond cannot be used for any non-pet-related claims.
Q: Can I apply to release a bond that is more than four times the weekly rent?
A: Yes, the new bond release process applies no matter how large the bond is.
Note: A security bond is normally capped at four weeks’ rent, but if the weekly rent exceeds a set threshold under the Residential Tenancies Regulations 1989, the bond can be higher.
Q: I have access to BondsOnline. Can I still use it to submit a bond release?
A: Yes.
Q: What is the Notice of Security Bond Release?
A: This notice is sent by Bonds Administration to anyone on the bond who did not submit the bond release application. It tells them about the application and the claims made and gives them a chance to respond. They usually have 14 days to reply, with extra time allowed for postage. The notice will state the exact timeframes for response.
Q: What happens if I need more time to respond to Bonds Administration’s Notice of Security Bond Release?
A: The response deadline cannot be extended. If you do not respond in time, the application will be sent to the Determinations Branch.
If everyone later agrees on how the bond should be released, you can still lodge a new bond release form signed by everyone listed on the bond. Bonds Administration will then release the bond according to that agreement.
Q: What is the Invitation to Make a Submission about a Bond Release Application?
A: This notice is sent by the Determinations Branch to everyone listed on the bond. It tells them that the bond release application has been referred to the Determinations Branch and invites them to provide evidence to support their views on the amounts in the application.
Everyone has 10 days to respond to this notice; however, this timeframe can be extended under reasonable circumstances.
Q: What happens if I need more time to respond to the Invitation to Make a Submission about a Bond Release Application?
A: If you have a valid reason for needing an extension, you can contact the Determinations Branch at the phone number or email address provided on the Invitation to Make a Submission about a Bond Release Application to request additional time to respond. An officer will assess your request and confirm whether an extension has been granted.
Q: What evidence should I provide to the Determinations Branch?
A: The Commissioner's Guidelines - Bond disputes in a rental provides advice about the different claim categories and what evidence could be provided to support or dispute a claim.
Evidence the landlord should provide to support their claim would include:
Evidence the tenant could provide to dispute the claim would include:
Q: When should I provide my evidence to the Determinations Branch?
A: Only provide your evidence if the bond release application has been referred to the Determinations Branch. Once this happens, everyone involved will receive a formal notice with instructions on how to submit their evidence.
Q: How can I lodge an appeal of the Commissioner’s decision?
A: Everyone listed on the bond will receive a notice of the Commissioner’s decision which includes instructions on how to appeal a decision with the Magistrates Court. More information about appealing the Commissioner’s decision is available on the Consumer Protection website at www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au/cdappeals.
If you lodge an appeal, you should tell Bonds Administration within seven days of the Commissioner’s decision and provide proof. If you don’t, the bond will likely be paid out according to the Commissioner’s decision.
Q: Will you pay out the bond as soon as the decision is made?
A: Bonds Administration will wait seven days (the appeal timeframe) from the date of the decision before paying out the bond.
Q: What if I can’t lodge my appeal within seven days?
A: The Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA) requires that an appeal is lodged within seven days of the Commissioner’s decision being made. We suggest that you try your best to lodge an appeal within this timeframe.
If you are unable to lodge your appeal within the seven-day timeframe, you could still lodge your appeal and ask the Magistrates Court to accept your appeal out of time. It would be up to the Magistrates Court to decide whether to accept your appeal after the seven-day timeframe.
Q: Will Bonds Administration hold a bond if the landlord or tenant indicates they will appeal the Commissioner’s decision?
A: Bonds Administration will hold off paying out a bond if someone listed on the bond provides evidence that they have submitted an appeal application to the Magistrates Court within the seven-day timeframe.
Q: Can the landlord claim more than the bond amount?
A: The total claim cannot be more than the bond held by Bonds Administration. If later in the process the landlord wants to claim more than the bond, the Determinations Branch cannot make a decision on that, and the matter will have to be referred to the Magistrates Court.
Q: Will it be harder for landlords to get the bond where there is rent owed or damage to the property?
A: A landlord’s ability to claim for rent owed and damages caused by the tenant has not changed. To provide clarity for tenants, landlords will now need to categorise their claims from the tenant’s bond.
Q: If the landlord refuses to refund my bond, what options do I have?
A: Anyone listed on the bond can apply to Bonds Administration for the bond to be released:
The Determinations Branch may decline to decide an application in certain circumstances. In these cases, parties will be referred to the Magistrates Court for a decision.
Q: Will decisions by the Commissioner for Consumer Protection regarding bond release favour the tenant?
A: The Commissioner’s decisions will be transparent and fair, based on evidence provided by the tenant and landlord. A written decision will be provided to the landlord and tenants so they can read the reasons why the bond was released in a particular way.
Q: Can I change my mind and agree after the application has been sent to the Determinations Branch?
A: Yes. If everyone agrees, you can lodge a new bond release form signed by everyone listed on the bond. You must also include signed ID for everyone, or a copy of the lease with original signatures so they can be verified.
Send these documents to Bonds Administration any time before the Commissioner’s decision is issued.
Q: I know my bond hasn’t been lodged with Bonds Administration – what should I do?
A: For residential tenancies in WA, the landlord is required to lodge a security bond with Bonds Administration within 14 days of receiving it. If you are a tenant, and your landlord has not lodged the bond with Bonds Administration, lodge a complaint with Consumer Protection.