How Much Bond Can a Landlord Charge in Western Australia
The Four-Week Cap Under the Residential Tenancies Act
Section 29 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA) sets the maximum security bond at four weeks' rent for any property where the weekly rent is $1,200 or less. The calculation is straightforward: multiply the weekly rent by four.
A property renting at $650 per week has a maximum bond of $2,600. At $900 per week, the ceiling is $3,600. The cap applies equally to furnished and unfurnished properties — furnishing a rental does not entitle a landlord to charge a higher bond.
Demanding more than four weeks' rent from a tenant when the rent sits at or below the $1,200 threshold is an offence under Section 29 of the RTA, carrying fines of up to $5,000.
The $1,200 Per Week Exception
Properties with weekly rent exceeding $1,200 fall outside the statutory cap entirely. For these high-rent tenancies, the landlord and tenant can negotiate a bond amount above four weeks' rent.
An executive rental at $1,500 per week could carry a negotiated bond of six weeks ($9,000) or more, depending on what both parties agree to in the tenancy agreement. This exception exists because higher-value properties carry correspondingly higher repair and restoration costs if something goes wrong.
Pet Bonds Are Separate
On top of the standard security bond, landlords in WA can charge a pet bond of up to $260 total per tenancy if the tenant is approved to keep a pet. This is a total limit, not a per-pet amount.
The pet bond covers pet-related damage, fumigation, and carpet cleaning costs. Assistance animals are exempt — landlords cannot charge any pet bond for a guide dog or other recognised assistance animal.
Free Download
Get the Western Australia Rental Bond Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
What Else a Landlord Can Require Upfront
Beyond the bond and any pet bond, a landlord can require a maximum of two weeks' rent in advance under Section 27 of the RTA. A tenant may voluntarily offer to pay more rent upfront, but a landlord cannot make it a condition of the lease.
Everything else — application fees, administration charges, key deposits, lease preparation fees — is illegal under WA tenancy law.
| Upfront charge | Maximum allowed |
|---|---|
| Security bond (rent ≤ $1,200/wk) | 4 weeks' rent |
| Security bond (rent > $1,200/wk) | Negotiable |
| Pet bond | $260 total per tenancy |
| Rent in advance | 2 weeks' rent |
| Application / admin / key fees | $0 (prohibited) |
Worked Example
A Perth landlord lets a three-bedroom house at $700 per week with an approved cat. The maximum upfront charges look like this:
- Security bond: $700 × 4 = $2,800
- Pet bond: $260
- Rent in advance: $700 × 2 = $1,400
- Total maximum lawful upfront cost: $4,460
Charging anything above these figures, or adding fees not listed here, puts the landlord at risk of prosecution and forced refunds.
Bond Top-Ups After a Rent Increase
When rent increases during the tenancy (permitted once every 12 months with at least 60 days' notice via Form 10), the landlord can request a proportional top-up. If the new weekly rent is $1,200 or less, the total bond can be topped up to no more than four weeks' rent. If the rent exceeds $1,200, the four-week cap does not apply and the parties can agree on a higher bond. Additional funds must be lodged with the Bond Administrator within 14 days of receipt using the Variation of Security Bond form.
If your property is in Western Australia and you want every step of the bond process laid out in order — from calculating the cap through lodgement, mid-tenancy variations, and end-of-lease return — the Rental Bonds in Western Australia guide covers the full compliance workflow with fillable tracking tools.
Get Your Free Western Australia Rental Bond Checklist
Download the Western Australia Rental Bond Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.