Consumer Affairs Victoria is cracking down on real estate agencies that lodge late bond payments with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA). 

Western Regional Real Estate Pty Ltd, trading as MASPROP Real Estate, has been fined $21,000 after pleading guilty to 3 charges relating to late lodgement of 51 bonds. The agency accepted more than $100,000 in bond money, with some bonds lodged over a year late.  

In sentencing, Magistrate Siobhan Whittle described the offending as serious, stating that the rules could not be treated as an administrative inconvenience.  

Separate disciplinary proceedings against MASPROP Real Estate and Director Mitre Stojcevski remain before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. 

Criminal proceedings against two other agencies are also underway.  

Nasheet Enterprises Pty Ltd, trading as Zed Real Estate, allegedly failed to lodge 37 bonds (valued at $142,000) on time, with some up to 11 months late. 

M & K Investment Solutions allegedly failed to lodge 35 bonds within the required timeframe or at all. 

The matters are listed before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court, with Zed Real Estate scheduled to appear on 30 October 2026 and M & K Investment Solutions on 17 November 2026. 

Rental providers and their agents must lodge rental bonds with the RTBA within 10 business days of receiving the bond. 

Renters can now pay their bond money directly to the RTBA, giving them more security and peace of mind, and streamlining the process for rental providers and agents. 

Consumer Affairs Victoria will continue to take action where rental agencies fail to meet their obligations under Victoria’s rental laws.