Penalty for Not Lodging Bond in Tasmania: Fines and Consequences

What Counts as an Offence

Section 25(4)(a) of the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 makes it an offence for an owner to receive a security deposit from or on behalf of a tenant. The tenant must pay the Rental Deposit Authority through MyBond, or pay an agent if the property is managed by one.

Property agents who receive bond funds must lodge them with the RDA under Section 25(3) within 10 working days. Private landlords must complete the MyBond lodgement and have the tenant pay the RDA directly.

If a tenant has paid bond money directly to you, contact Consumer Affairs Tasmania promptly and arrange for it to be lodged with the RDA.

Current Fine Levels

Bond offences under the Act carry a maximum of 50 penalty units. Tasmania indexes penalty units annually on 1 July based on CPI movements. For the 2026–2027 financial year, one penalty unit is worth $213.

That makes the maximum fine for an owner who receives a bond directly $10,650.

The same 50-unit maximum applies to:

• Demanding a bond exceeding four weeks' rent (Section 25(4)(c))
• Requiring prohibited payments such as key deposits, cleaning bonds or application fees (Section 17)

Section 61 requires owners to keep a rent record for five years after the tenancy ends; the Act does not state a penalty under that section. Requiring an increase to rent or bond as a condition of pet consent is separately prohibited under Section 36S(4)(d).

How Enforcement Works

Consumer Affairs Tasmania handles compliance monitoring and enforcement. A tenant who suspects their bond hasn't been lodged can check MyBond — if no lodgement appears, they can report the landlord to Consumer Affairs.

Enforcement can also surface during a bond dispute. If you initiate a claim at the end of the tenancy and the RDA has no record of the bond, the Residential Tenancy Commissioner will note the breach. Late lodgement history weakens your credibility in any dispute proceeding.

The Difference Between a Portal Error and an Offence

A failed payment, wrong Tenant ID or technical timeout does not change the lodgement requirement. Keep screenshots of portal errors and contact Consumer Affairs Tasmania promptly while arranging lodgement.

Prohibited Payments Beyond the Bond

The penalty framework extends to payments the Act doesn't permit at all. Under Section 17, a landlord cannot demand or receive:

• Key or remote deposits
• Cleaning deposits or guarantees
• Administration or lease-preparation fees
• Application-processing charges

Renaming a prohibited fee doesn't make it lawful. A "cleaning guarantee" is still a cleaning deposit, and Consumer Affairs Tasmania treats it accordingly.

Staying on the Right Side

Complete the lodgement in MyBond and make sure the tenant pays the RDA directly. Keep the MyBond confirmation with the tenancy records. That's all it takes to avoid the bond-lodgement offences described here.

Our Tasmania Rental Bond Guide maps the MyBond lodgement and payment steps, so the process is clear before the tenant pays the bond.

See more Tasmania guides →