When you engage in a rental tenancy you pay bond.  Linda Wong property manager, explains what a bond is and how it must be handled.  If you aren't going through a reputable real estate company or property management service then you can lodge your own bond at the bank.  Don't hand over cash and the bond by law needs to get lodged at the "bonds centre" check it out on the the government tenancy services website that  has more information. Four weeks is also the maximum amount of bond a landlord can charge.