In early November, the Residential Tenancies Authority announced a ‘targeted’ review of Queensland tenancy laws and released a public Discussion Paper to which responses are due by January 2.

As we noted soon after, we’re going to ask your views about  some of the topics in the Discussion paper.  This is our second question and it’s about bonds.

Do you think the maximum amount of bond should be increased?

The RTA’s Discussion paper canvasses the option of increasing the maximum amount of bond allowed to be taken from tenants in general tenancies (units, apartments, houses etc).  Currently the maximum bond is the equivalent of four weeks’ worth of rent.(unless the property rent is more than $700 per week and then it’s unlimited). The paper proposes allowing an additional week’s rent to be charged when the property has a pool, is fully furnished or if the tenant has pets.

What do you think?  Do you think that in some situations, agents or lessors should be able to charge an additional bond?  Or do you think that bonds are already enough to provide some financial protection? Do you think a ‘pet bond’ would help tenants in allowing them to have pets or have no effect?

To read the entire Discussion Paper, go to this link then click on ‘Discussion Paper’. Or read this section on page 7 & 8.