Mt Magnet councillor, landlord Ian Black fined over failing to properly lodge tenancy bonds

A Mt Magnet councillor and landlord has been fined over failing to lodge tenancy bonds with the Bond Administrator.

Ian Black pleaded guilty of April 29 in Perth Magistrates Court to seven charges of breaching the Residential Tenancies Act. The bonds were collected between January 2019 and January 2020 for six properties owned and leased by Mr Black in the Mt Magnet area.

The bonds were received on behalf of his tenants as the result of successful applications to the Department of Communities’ Bond Assistance Loan scheme.

Mr Black was fined $1000 and ordered to pay $1184.50 in costs.

The magistrate took into account Mr Black’s guilty plea and noted the tenants were not adversely affected by the offences.

Consumer Protection executive director Trish Blake said there was no excuse for an experienced landlord like Mr Black not to be aware of his responsibilities under tenancy laws.

“Both private landlords and real estate agents have a clear obligation to lodge tenancy bonds with the Bond Administrator as soon as possible after receipt and certainly take no longer than two weeks,” she said.

“The process to lodge bonds is simple and straight forward so it couldn’t be made any easier. Compliance with these laws is essential to ensure the security and safety of tenants’ funds.

“Failure to comply may result in prosecution or disciplinary action being taken, as well as the landlord or agent suffering reputational damage.”