The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) provides best practice guidelines to help tenants/residents and property managers/owners/providers confidently navigate the application process.

The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) provides best practice guidelines to help tenants/residents and property managers/owners/providers confidently navigate the application process.

The Act requires tenants to use the RTA’s Request for approval to attach fixtures or make structural changes (Form 23) to request approval from the property owner to attach a fixture or make structural changes in their rental property.

When a fixed term tenancy ends and the tenant will continue to remain in the rental premises, the property manager/owner and tenant need to decide on the future tenancy arrangements.

The owner/manager must take reasonable steps to ensure tenants have quiet enjoyment of their rented home. This means the owner/manager must not interfere with the tenant’s reasonable peace, comfort and privacy in using the premises.

A General tenancy agreement (Form 18a) is the agreement between a tenant and a lessor/agent which sets out the terms that apply to the tenant’s stay in general tenancies such as houses, units and townhouses.

Goods and documents left behind after a tenant/resident has moved out must be returned or disposed of according to a specific set of rules.

A property manger/owner who believes that a property is abandoned must formally end the agreement before they can take possession of the property and deal with any goods left behind by the tenant. This fact sheet contains information and a summary of how Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (the Act) applies but should not be relied upon as legal advice for specific cases.

A tenancy agreement does not automatically end as a result of a natural disaster (e.g. flooding, cyclone, bushfire), even if the property is damaged or non-liveable.

This checklist provides you with the important information you should check before and after signing your new tenancy agreement.

A rental bond (also known as a deposit) is money paid by the tenant at the start of a tenancy agreement. It is used as financial protection for the lessor in case the tenant breaches the terms of the agreement.

Both tenants/residents and lessors/agents have responsibilities for residential premises, including the site and facilities in the case of general and moveable dwellings.

Tenants are required to seek the lessor’s consent to keep a pet at the rental property. Lessors can provide approval subject to reasonable conditions as agreed with the tenant, or refuse the request only based on specific reasons under the legislation.

A repair order ensures that managing parties take action to address repairs to a rental property and its inclusions in a timely manner. 

From 1 October 2022, tenants have the option to apply for a repair order from the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) for routine and emergency repairs.

If a tenant would like to sub-let a room in a rental property, they must get written permission from the property manager/owner. Approved occupants should also be listed in the special terms of the tenancy agreement.

Tenancy databases are legitimate tools that give lessors a means of protecting their property investments.

Lessors are allowed to pass on the full water consumption charges (including bulk water charges) to tenants provided all the minimum criteria have been met.