The Residential Parks Act 2007 (SA) sets out certain criteria for the payment of rent and bond, increases to rent and record keeping for rent. The park owner can only require one bond to be paid which can not be more than four weeks' rent. Money received as a bond must be receipted within 48 hours. All bonds must be paid into the Residential Tenancies Fund using a Residential Park Bond Lodgement Form within seven days of receipt [see Residential Parks Act 2007 (SA) s 27 and 28].
Whether or not a bond is paid, the Act applies to all residential park agreements in South Australia.
At the beginning of the agreement a resident can also be required to pay the first two weeks' rent. If two weeks' rent is paid at the start of the agreement, no more rent is due until those two weeks have passed. Rent can not be collected at the rented premises, unless the alternative has been refused by the resident. Receipts must be provided for rent paid within 48 hours, unless rent is paid into a bank account and written records are maintained.
Besides a bond and two weeks' rent in advance, the park owner cannot ask for any other money at the start of the agreement [s 18].
The park owner can also not require any payment from a tenant to extend or renew an agreement [s 18].