At the start of a tenancy, the tenant and the landlord agree on the amount of rent to be paid. If the full amount of rent isn't paid on time, it's a breach of the agreement .
The bond is the security deposit that the tenant gives the landlord/agent, or directly to Consumer and Business Services (CBS). The landlord must lodge this with CBS, where it's held for the length of the tenancy.
Bond and rent details are written into the lease agreement.
Get financial help to pay bond and rent in advance
The only payments a landlord can ask for at the start of a tenancy is up to 2 weeks rent in advance, and the bond. This means monthly, or calendar monthly rent payments can't be taken until the first 2 weeks rent has been used up and the next rent is due.
To make sure calendar monthly rent is calculated correctly – weekly rent divided by 7, multiplied by 365 (or 366 in a leap year), divided by 12.
Other ways to pay rent
A landlord must allow the tenant to pay rent by at least one means that's electronic, and doesn't involve collection by a third party who charges a fee. Landlords can't charge any other fees for the payment of rent.
Changes to how rent is paid can only be made during the tenancy if both the landlord and tenant agree on the change. A nominated address or bank account can be changed at any time, provided the other party is notified.
Receipts and records
Landlords must give tenants a receipt for any rent paid within 48 hours, unless it is paid directly into a bank account.
Detailed rent records must be kept by the landlord for all rent paid. The date the money is credited into the account is the ‘paid’ date.
Rent receipts and records must show:
- the amount paid
- the date paid
- who paid it
- the period the payment relates to
- the address of the rented property.
The landlord can be fined if they don’t give receipts or keep proper rent records.
The rent receipts and records information sheet (PDF 1MB) provides examples of proper rent records.
Contact CBS Tenancies
Email: CBStenancyadvice@sa.gov.au
Phone: 131 882
Post:
GPO Box 965
Adelaide SA 5001
Bond
The landlord must lodge any bond they directly receive from the tenant with Consumer and Business Services' Residential Bonds Online (RBO) system within 2 weeks of receiving it from the tenant. Registered agents have 4 weeks to lodge the bond.
At the end of the lease, it's returned to the tenant if there are no claims for outstanding rent, cleaning or other costs to fix the premises.
Tenants can choose to directly lodge the bond using Consumer and Business Services’ Residential Bonds Online (RBO) system or can connect a bond lodged by the landlord using their RBO account.
Bond guarantees – SA Housing Trust will contact you every 12 months, or at the end of the lease, if they have provided the bond. You'll need to respond to ensure the bond remains lodged or it could be released.
