Renting laws in Australia vary from state to state.

In Queensland there are rules surrounding the rental of a house, unit, share house, room, caravan or houseboat.

These rules are set out in the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (the Act).

The Act states:

• the rights and responsibilities of tenants and property managers/owners
• what tenants and property managers/owners can and cannot do
• how to address issues that may arise during the tenancy, and
• what happens if the tenant/property manager/owner breaks the law.

The Act applies to:

• tenants renting a house, unit or caravan from a property manager/owner
• tenants renting a room from a rooming accommodation manager

It does not apply to:

• contracts of sale or mortgages if the sale of contract is for 28 days or less
• holiday lettings
• rental purchase plan agreements
• temporary refuge accommodation (e.g. a women’s shelter)
• commercial property (e.g. shop leases)
• renting outside of Queensland

There are other types of rental accommodation that may be covered by the Act. Contact the RTA for more information.