If a property manager/owner believes that a property has been abandoned, they can issue an Entry notice (Form 9) allowing 48 hours notice. The property may then be inspected to confirm it has been abandoned.
The property manager/owner must have reasonable grounds for believing the property has been abandoned. This could include:
- rent has not been paid
- a build-up of mail or newspapers in the mailbox
- observations of neighbours or others that suggest the tenants have left the property
- the absence of household goods
- gas, telephone and electricity services have been disconnected
- the tenant does not respond to attempts to contact them
The property manager/owner can issue either an:
- Entry notice (Form 9) to confirm the property has been abandoned
- Abandonment termination notice (Form 15).
Disputing the notice
The tenant has:
- 7 days (from the date the notice is issued) to apply to Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) to dispute the notice
- 28 days (from the date the notice is issued) to apply to QCAT for compensation
- In rooming accommodation, the agreement ends once the rent paid has run out (a termination notice does not need to be served).
If the tenant does not dispute the notice, the tenant is taken to have abandoned the property.
Goods and documents
Goods and documents left behind after a tenant/resident has moved out must be returned or disposed of according to specific rules. Visit the goods and documents left behind page for more information.
Valuing goods
Goods should be valued to determine their worth – an item that may appear to be junk may actually be valuable. Goods worth the prescribed value or more must be handled according to the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008.
If the property manager/owner intends to dispose of or sell goods left behind, a record of the items should be kept (e.g. itemised list, photos etc.) in case of a future dispute over the items.