Bonds top consumer Christmas wish list
Issue Date: - Wednesday, 23 December 2009
It might not be the first thing you’d think of but getting a bond back is on a lot of Western Australians’ Christmas lists this year, according to Consumer Protection.
Advisors at the Perth-based contact centre have been receiving a high volume of calls from tenants keen to recover their cash after moving out of a rental home – in total there will have been about 2,000 bond-based enquiries by the end of December.
Reasons for needing the bond returned range from requiring the money for a new property, to family present buying or financial hardship during the festive season.
Consumer Protection holds bonds in trust for tenants and rental agents or landlords and Commissioner Anne Driscoll is asking for patience during this busy time.
"We aim to return bond money within five days, once we receive a disposal agreement signed by both the property owner and tenant," she said.
"This is not a simple task though, as Consumer Protection is holding approximately 120 thousand bonds worth 163 million dollars!
"At this time of year we deal with a myriad of issues such as when a landlord wants to withhold part of the bond for alleged damage to the property or a tenant has not served out their full notice period.
"Our tenancy officers conciliate agreements between disputing tenants and landlords over problems like carpet cleaning, fumigation and breaking lease fees.
"If matters like these cannot be resolved we advise either party to call their local Magistrates Court where the case can be dealt with at a cost of less than $30 to the complainant."
Consumer Protection has publications offering more detailed advice, including a list of all the Magistrates Courts’ contact details. They are available online at: www.commerce.wa.gov.au/consumerprotection choose Publications and then select either Renting a Home in WA – A Tenant’s Guide or Renting Out Your Property –An Owner’s Guide. Alternatively call the Consumer Protection advice line on 1300 30 40 54 to ask for a copy to be posted out.
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(Consumer Protection is a division of the Department of Commerce)
Media Contact: Alina Cavanagh, 9282 0679 or 0423-846397 alina.cavanagh@commerce.wa.gov.au