The only up-front entry costs an owner or agent may charge a tenant when beginning a tenancy are:
- a rental bond (a security deposit up to the cost of four weeks’ rent) – see Bond lodgement and paying a bond contribution
- rent in advance for the first payment period (usually two weeks’ rent if rent is paid fortnightly)
- a holding fee (if the owner agrees to hold a vacant property, for more than seven days, until the tenant can move in – this fee is usually not refundable) The owner cannot charge any other fees, such as an application fee or a fee to find a property for a tenant.