23Deposit of bond by lessor

23 Deposit of bond by lessor (1) The tenant must pay the bond to the lessor. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the lessor and tenant agree that the tenant will deposit the bond with the Territory. (3) If the tenant pays the bond to the lessor and not to the lessor’s agent, the lessor must, before the prescribed period ends, deposit with the Territory— (a) the amount of the bond; and (b) a notice in accordance with section 25. (4) If the tenant pays the bond to the lessor’s agent, the agent must, before the prescribed period ends, deposit with the Territory— (a) the amount of the bond; and (b) a notice in accordance with section 25. (5) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence. prescribed period means— (a) 2 weeks after the day the lessor receives the bond; or (b) if another period is prescribed by regulation—the prescribed