The RTA investigates alleged offences that attract a penalty under the Act. The RTA does not investigate breaches that do not attract a penalty (e.g. claims of money owed or disputes about property maintenance).
Some of the offences the RTA can investigate are:
- failure to lodge a bond with the RTA within 10 days (maximum 40 penalty units)
- failure to provide a written tenancy agreement (maximum 20 penalty units)
- failure to provide an Information Statement (Form 17a or Form 17b) at the beginning of a tenancy (maximum 10 penalty units)
- entry by a property manager/owner without proper notice or consent (maximum 20 penalty units)
- imposing special terms in tenancy agreements that contravene the Act (maximum 50 penalty units)
- failure to provide a forwarding address if asked to do so in writing at the end of a tenancy (maximum 20 penalty units)
- ending a tenancy in an unauthorised way (e.g. forcefully evicting a tenant) (maximum 40 penalty units)
For all offence provisions download the Act.
Fines are based on a system of penalty units. The maximum fine is calculated by multiplying the value of 1 penalty unit by the number of penalty units set for that offence.
The current penalty value for an individual is $133.45. The penalty unit amount is greater for corporations.
More information
- Sentencing fines and penalties for offences (Queensland Government)
- Download Penalties and Sentences Act 1992.