The park operator can ask for bond at the start of the tenancy - up to 4 weeks rent. They can also ask for rent in advance - up to 2 weeks rent. They can't ask for any other money at the start of an agreement.
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Lodging a bond
All bonds must be lodged with Consumer and Business Services (CBS) within 7 days. CBS will hold the bond until the end of the tenancy.
Residents can pay and lodge the bond using a debit or credit card through RBO
When a resident pays by cash or cheque
The park operator can have the bond money debited from the park's bank account if a resident pays them by cash or cheque. This can be for a one-off transaction or to keep in use for future bonds.
Arrange a direct debit:
- Complete the correct form
- Attach it to the bond lodgement form.
- Lodge all the documents with CBS.
Changes to the park
The park operator can use RBO to notify CBS if there's a change of:
- resident - eg an agreement is assigned to another person
- park owner
- person authorised to sign for bond transactions - eg a new staff member.
Printable forms are also available to notify of these changes:
Bond guarantees
A resident might be able to get help to pay the bond through the SA Housing Trust (the Trust). A bond guarantee must:
- have a receipt
- be lodged within 7 days
- be lodged before the to be lodged by date.
Bond guarantees can be lodged by the tenant or the park operator through RBO. If a bond guarantee lodgement form is used instead, it must be signed by all parties. An unsigned form won’t be accepted by CBS.
The Trust will contact the tenant every 12 months – or at the end of the lease – to check if the bond guarantee needs to stay lodged. The bond guarantee could be released if the tenant or park operator does not respond to the Trust.
Refunding or claiming the bond
The park operator can claim all or part of a bond or can release it in full using RBO.
Residents can lodge a dispute for any claim a park operator makes. The operator must be able to prove their claim - eg quotes or bills for repairs. Disputes that don't reach agreement using the counter- offer option are dealt with by the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT).
What can be claimed
The park operator can claim costs such as:
- repairs and cleaning bills
- unpaid rent and service charges
- costs for re-advertising and re-letting if the resident has moved out before the end of a fixed term agreement.
Bond claims by a park operator can be paid through bank transactions. Ensure that your bank account details are correct when making a claim in RBO.
