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Queensland’s rental laws have seen significant updates, following the introduction of minimum housing standards in 2023, which ensure rental properties meet essential safety, cleanliness, and functionality standards. As of 30 September 2024, additional changes have come into effect, impacting both tenants and landlords. These changes aim to further strengthen protections and clarify responsibilities.

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1. Updated Maximum Bond Amount

Landlords are now limited to charging no more than four weeks' rent as a bond, ensuring tenants aren't burdened with excessive upfront costs. This applies regardless of the rent amount or property type.

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2. Utility Billing Requirements

Landlords must now provide utility bills to tenants within four weeks of receiving them. If the bill isn’t provided within this time frame, tenants are not required to pay, creating a fairer process for renters managing their utilities.

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3. Rent Payment Options

Tenants must be offered at least two rent payment methods, with one method not incurring additional fees beyond standard bank charges. This ensures that tenants can choose a payment method that works best for them without incurring unfair fees.

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4. Pro-Rated Re-Letting Costs

For lease agreements longer than three years, re-letting fees must now be pro-rated based on the remaining term of the lease. This update prevents tenants from shouldering the entire cost of re-letting if they end their tenancy early.

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5. Bond Dispute Process

The new legislation mandates that when property managers or owners make a claim on a tenant’s bond, they must provide supporting evidence within 14 days. This ensures that disputes are handled fairly, with proper documentation backing any claims made against the bond.

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6. Penalties for False Information

Providing false or misleading information to the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) is now considered an offence, with potential penalties. This ensures transparency and honesty in all dealings with the RTA.

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7. Information Sharing Between Agencies

To improve enforcement of rental laws, the RTA can now share information with other government agencies. This collaboration enhances compliance and ensures that landlords and tenants meet their legal obligations.

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Updated RTA Forms

To align with the latest changes, the RTA has updated several key forms, including:

Entry Condition Report – Ensuring compliance with new bond and utility regulations.

Bond Lodgement and Refund Forms – Reflecting the updated bond rules and dispute processes.

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Conclusion

Staying updated with the latest rental legislation changes is crucial for both landlords and tenants. The new rules enhance protections and ensure fair practices across the rental market. For further details on these changes, visit the Residential Tenancies Authority.

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