Tenants can now kickstart the release of their rental bonds in Western Australia under a major shake-up designed to make it easier for both renters and landlords.
The WA government has changed the rules to reduce the need for disputes to head to court, with about 4,500 tenancy matters landing in WA courts every year.
Under the new reforms, tenants, landlords and agents can now apply for a bond release after the final inspection and property condition report are complete. Previously, only the landlord or property manager could start the process.
WA commerce minister Dr Tony Buti said the new rules would make the bond release process simpler and far less stressful for both tenants and landlords.
"For the first time, tenants themselves can apply to have their bond released, giving them the same opportunity as a landlord to start the bond release when a tenancy ends,” Dr Buti said.
The Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) has welcomed the move, with hopes it will lead to a faster resolution of disputes.
“Previously, disputes over the bond had to go through the Magistrates Court, which could be a very lengthy process. The outcomes also varied,” REIWA president Suzanne Brown said.
The new rental bonds reforms should make life easier for tenants and landlords in Perth and the rest of Western Australia. Picture: Getty
“Now, in most cases, the dispute will be reviewed via the Commissioner determination process, and this should help tenants get their bond returned in a more timely manner.”
How it works
If a dispute arises over how the bond is to be paid out, neither the tenant nor landlord will need to attend court to resolve the matter in most cases.
The decision will be made independently by the Commissioner for Consumer Protection, saving people time and the cost involved in attending court or having a property manager attend on behalf of a landlord.
The commissioner will make a decision only after everyone on the bond has had the opportunity to provide information and evidence to support their claim, such as property condition reports, invoices, or photographs. Once a determination is made, the bond will be paid out.
"By introducing Commissioner determinations for bond disputes, we are reducing the number of matters that end up in the Magistrates Court, saving Western Australians and the court system time, money, and unnecessary pressure,” Dr Buti said.
"We will do everything we can to reduce cost-of-living pressures on Western Australians so if they are owed money, they get it returned as quickly as possible."
Parties who are dissatisfied with the decision will be able to lodge an appeal with the magistrates' courts within seven days.
Landlords can still make claims for specific, defined reasons such as property damage, unpaid rent, cleaning, garden maintenance, lost keys, or other financial losses caused by the tenant.
Renter warning
While some tenants are likely to apply to start of the bond release process as soon as they can, Ms Brown cautioned tenants against applying for the bond as soon as they moved out of the property.
“While it might be tempting, it will not speed up the release of the bond and could cause delays,” she said.
“There are processes to be followed, such as the final inspection and property condition report, and the bond will not be released immediately an application is made.
“It is in the best interests of all parties that any issues be discussed and addressed, or an outcome negotiated before an application is made for the bond. This will be the fastest way to get the bond released.”
Perth has one of the most competitive rental markets in Australia, with the city’s vacancy rate sitting at 1.11% in January, compared to the national average of 1.48%, according to PropTrack.
Tenants have seen rents rise significantly in Perth as well. The median weekly asking rent for Perth houses rose to $720 in the December 2025 quarter, up 6.7% compared to the previous year. For units, it increased by 7.2% to $670 a week during the same period.
Between the March 2020 and December 2025 quarters, median advertised rents for Perth homes listed on realestate.com.au increased by a whopping $340 – the most in the country - according to the PropTrack Rental Affordability report.
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