The Residential Tenancy Authority (RTA) is urging Queensland tenants to remain vigilant and be alert when searching for their next rental property following increased reported activity in rental bond scams during COVID-19.

Common scams can include online classified ads or social media posts from people pretending to be real property managers or owners that mislead tenants into paying deposits or bonds for rental properties that are sometimes fake or unavailable addresses. These unfortunate situations leave prospective tenants in the challenging position of trying to recover their losses which can be a long and drawn-out process.

Your rental bond rights and obligations

A rental bond is a security deposit paid by the tenant at the start of the tenancy and refunded at the end of the tenancy, providing there is no money owed or damages to the rental property. Typically, bond money is paid before keys to the rental property are provided by the property manager/owner.

A bond should only be taken after the prospective tenant is given a copy of the proposed tenancy agreement. Where possible, the RTA also recommends prospective tenants inspect the rental property in-person and understand all terms and conditions in the proposed tenancy agreement before signing or paying any money.

Tenants can lodge their bond quickly, easily and securely online using the RTA’s Bond Lodgement Web Service. If the property manager/owner takes a bond, they must give the tenant a receipt and lodge it with the RTA within 10 days for safekeeping during the tenancy. It is an offence not to do so.

Top tips to safeguard your rental property search

To find more helpful tenancy tips and to better understand your rights and obligations as a tenant, visit the RTA website.

 

Sourced article | www.rta.qld.gov.au | direct link here