18Holding deposits

18 Holding deposits (1) A lessor must not require or accept a holding deposit. (2) An agreement to pay a holding deposit is void, and any amount paid under an agreement to pay a holding deposit is recoverable as a debt owing by the person to whom the amount was paid to the person who paid the amount. holding deposit means an amount paid or payable by a tenant to a lessor in consideration for the lessor not entering into a residential tenancy agreement with a third party in relation to premises pending the tenant entering into a residential tenancy agreement with the lessor in relation to the premises.