AN Alkimos real estate agency has been fined $5000 and ordered to pay $5499 in costs after failing to lodge two tenancy bonds with the bond administrator within the required timeframe.
On Wednesday, June 24 Consumer Protection said Lomax Coastal Realty was sentenced in the Joondalup Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to two charges relating to excessive delays in lodging bonds received from a tenant.
Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1978, security bonds for residential tenancies must be lodged with the Bond Administrator as soon as practicable and no later than 14 days after receipt.
Consumer Protection said in April 2022, Lomax Coastal Realty received a total of $2780 from a tenant at a Butler property comprising a $1680 security bond, a $260 pet bond and two weeks’ rent.
The agency failed to lodge the two bonds by the due date and did not lodge them until 23 May 2025 – a delay of 1121 days and only after prosecution by Consumer Protection had started.
“Exactly 12 months later, the agency received an $80 security bond increase from the same tenant at the same property,’’ Consumer Protection.
“It was not lodged until 11 June 2025, a delay of 775 days, again only after prosecution began.’’
The bonds are now held in full by the Bond Administrator at the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety.
This is the second time Consumer Protection has taken action against Lomax Coastal Realty.
In August 2021, the company was ordered to pay $7500 after making false claims about the air-conditioning of a property for sale, in breach of the Australian Consumer Law.
In this latest case, Magistrate Shackleton noted that while the omission arose from poor internal processes rather than deliberate conduct, the significant delays highlighted the need for proper bond-handling procedures.
Consumer Protection commissioner Trish Blake said timely bond lodgement was a fundamental requirement designed to protect both landlords and tenants.
“Bond money must be lodged promptly so it is held safely and independently. When agencies fail to do this, they put consumers at risk and undermine confidence in the rental system,” Ms Blake said.
“These delays – stretching into years – are completely unacceptable.
“Even if the failure wasn’t deliberate, agencies have a clear responsibility to maintain proper processes and comply with the law.
“Most property managers do the right thing, but when they don’t, we will step in.
“Tenants should feel confident that their bond money is protected from the minute they hand it over.”
Ms Blake said landlords and agents were required to issue a receipt immediately after receiving any bond payment and must keep accurate records of all bonds held.
Once processed, Bonds Administration sends a record of the bond lodgement to everyone named on it.
Further information about landlord and agent responsibilities can be found on the Consumer Protection website
Inquiries can be made by email consumer@lgirs.wa.gov.au or by calling 1300 304 054.
