Queensland Rental Legislative Changes - What Landlords Need to Know

Queensland Rental Legislative Changes - What Landlords Need to Know

It is vital that our landlords stay informed and be prepared for any legislative changes that can impact their tenancy. In June 2024, rental law changes were made mainly in relating to rent and ending tenancies.

Recently, the Queensland Parliament passed the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024, bringing significant updates to rental laws. These changes will be rolled out in two phases, with important dates to keep in mind: 30 September 2024 and 1 May 2025.

 

Summary of rental law changes - New laws in effect from 6 June 2024

Rent –

• Rent bidding – rent bidding or accepting rent offers higher than the advertised price, are banned.
• Maximum rent in advance – a property manager/owner cannot, at the start of a new tenancy, solicit, accept or invite a tenant to pay more rent in advance that exceeds two weeks for a periodic tenancy agreement or one month for a fixed tenancy agreement, even if a prospective tenant makes an offer to pay more than the amount prescribed in the legislation.
• Rent increases – are limited to 12 months and are attached to the property instead of the tenancy.

 

Ending tenancies – Greater clarity on ending tenancies in the following situations: a short tenancy for moveable dwellings, when a community title scheme (that is, a body corporate for units or townhouses) is terminated.

 

Summary of rental law changes - Upcoming changes in effect from 30 September 2024

Starting on 30 September 2024, several new regulations will come into effect, impacting how certain charges are handled and how disputes are managed:

Breaking a Lease – When a tenant breaks a lease, reletting costs must be calculated using a statutory formula to ensure fairness and transparency.

Bond Claims – Property managers must provide tenants with evidence to support a bond claim or dispute resolution request within 14 days of making the claim. This change aims to streamline the process and ensure timely resolutions.

Bond Limits – The maximum bond limit will be standardised across all rental properties. Regardless of the weekly rent amount, a maximum bond of four weeks' rent will apply.

 

Summary of rental law changes - Upcoming changes in effect from 1 May 2025

Preparing for new changes as of 1 May 2025, additional regulations will be introduced, further shaping the rental market. These include:

Rental application process – a new standardised rental application form will be created and must be used when a tenant is applying for a rental property. Property managers will need to provide prospective tenants with an option to lodge this form in ways other than using third-party platforms.

Request for fixtures and structural changes – revised process for a tenant to request fixtures and structural changes (in writing) to the property manager who must consult with the property owner and respond within 28 days.

Entry notice period – the minimum entry notice period has increased from 24 hours to 48 hours.

Entry frequency – new limits apply to the frequency of entry after a notice to end the tenancy has been issued.

Protecting privacy – property managers will only be allowed to request specific types of information from potential tenants, with certain types of information being prohibited from request. This helps to protect tenants against discrimination based upon factors that aren't relevant to a leasing agreement.

 

If you have any questions regarding these rental law changes and how they may affect your property, please do not hesitate to contact us.