Upcoming Changes to Queensland Rental Properties

There is a lot of hype in the media currently regarding the rental market in Queensland, most of which is currently yet to be passed as law.

What HAS been passed which is due to come into effect as of September 1st this year, seems to be lacking the attention it warrants for all Queenslanders to be aware of. Find out quick bullet point updates for you here!

Commencing for new tenancy arrangements from 1 September 2023 and all tenancies from 1 September 2024

Prescribed Minimum Housing Standards will be in the RTRA Regulation is divided into standards under Part 1 Safety and security and Part 2 Reasonable functionality.

Safety and security of premises 

• Weatherproof and structurally sound. Premises must be weatherproof, structurally sound and in good repair. To be weatherproof, the roofing or windows must prevent water from entering the premises when it rains. Indications the premises are structurally sound are where the floor, wall, ceiling or roof or the deck or stairs is not likely to collapse because of rot or defect; or a floor, wall or ceiling or other supporting structure is not affected by significant dampness, or the condition of the premises is not likely to cause damage to an occupant’s personal property.
• Fixtures and fittings. The fixtures and fittings, including electrical appliances, for the premises, must be in good repair and must not be likely to cause injury to a person through the ordinary use of the fixtures or fittings.
• Locks on windows and doors. Premises must have a functioning lock or latch fitted to all external windows and doors to secure the premises against unauthorised entry. Premises let under a rooming accommodation agreement must have a functioning lock or latch fitted to all windows and doors of a resident’s room to secure the room against unauthorised entry. This applies only to windows and doors that a person outside the premises or room could access without having to use a ladder.
• Vermin, damp and mould. Premises must be free of vermin, damp and mould where the lessor or provider is responsible for those parts of the premises. This obligation does not apply to vermin, damp or mould caused by the tenant. For example, where the tenant is not using an exhaust fan that the lessor has previously installed in the bathroom of the premises.
• Privacy. Premises must have privacy coverings for windows in all rooms in which tenants or residents are reasonably likely to expect privacy such as bedrooms. Privacy coverings for windows include blinds; curtains; tinting and glass frosting. Privacy coverings do not apply if the window of a room is not in the line of sight between a person outside and a person inside, for example the premises is obstructed by a fence, a hedge, tree or other feature of the property.

Reasonable functionality of premises

• Plumbing and drainage. Premises must have adequate plumbing and drainage for the number of persons occupying the premises and be connected to a water supply service or other infrastructure that supplies hot and cold water suitable for drinking.
• Bathrooms and toilets. The bathroom and toilet facilities must provide the user with privacy and each toilet must be functional to flush and refill and be connected to a sewer, septic system, or other waste disposal system.
• Kitchen. A kitchen must include a functioning cook-top if a kitchen has been provided as part of the premises.
• Laundry. A laundry must include those fixtures (other than whitegoods) required to provide a functional laundry, if a laundry has been included in the premises