The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) hosted 3 stakeholder working group meetings in October and November 2025.

The working groups were established in 2025 to increase collaboration between the RTA and stakeholders from the Queensland rental sector, provide a greater focus on outcomes, and help the RTA to deliver improved customer services.

Key outcomes from the meetings are summarised below.

Property managers and property owners

The working group for managing parties (property managers and property owners) met on 28 October. It was attended by one property owner and representatives from:

• Asia-Pacific Student Accommodation Association (APSAA)
• Australian Resident Accommodation Managers’ Association (ARAMA)
• BHC Creating Liveable Communities
• Local: Residential
• Property Owners Association of Queensland (POAQ)
• Q Shelter
• Real Estate Excellence
• Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ)
• Southern Cross Care (Qld)
• Supported Accommodation Providers Association (SAPA).

The participants shared insights to help inform the development of the RTA’s next Strategic Plan. There was emphasis on the need for stability after a period of change in the sector. Participants said that monitoring of how the changes affect the renting sector and ongoing education to continue to support people to understand the legislation were important.

The group suggested that the collection and release of de-identified data could help inform policy, system improvements and support planning and decision-making across the sector. There was also discussion about the role technology could play to help facilitate efficient and compliant tenancy transactions.

Participants commented on increases in break leases and confusion over the calculation and application of reletting costs. The RTA has responded to this feedback by consolidating information about reletting costs on one page.

Feedback gathered from participants about the working groups was also discussed. The role of the RTA in bringing together different parts of the sector in one meeting was acknowledged as a valuable opportunity to understand different perspectives and identify how to work collaboratively.

Tenants and the rental community

The working group for stakeholders representing tenants and the rental community, including support services, met on 30 October. It was attended by one tenant and representatives from:

• Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre (HBNC)
• Homelessness QLD
• Q Shelter
• Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS)
• Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN)
• Settlement Services International (SSI)
• TASC National
• Tenants Queensland (TQ).

Participants suggested that compliance and enforcement should be a strategic focus for the RTA in coming years, with an increased focus on property manager/owner behaviours, especially where there are repeated complaints. There was also a suggestion that key performance indicators were needed for property manager/owner compliance. 

Futureproofing and promoting a fair rental sector were other considerations put forward for the next RTA Strategic Plan. This was proposed through:

• a focus on the needs of increasingly ageing renters, many on low incomes and wanting to live independently
• promotion of accessible housing options including modifications for people with disabilities.

Equitable treatment for vulnerable groups such as non-English speaking tenants and customers who face digital exclusion was also raised. There was discussion about the importance of maintaining non-digital service options and providing enhanced mobile-friendly services to support essential tenancy and bond transactions.

The group discussed whether RTA data could potentially be used to flag at-risk households for early intervention and tenancy sustainment, explore trauma-informed dispute resolution processes, and better understand trends for ending tenancies.

Continued education for property managers was also discussed, including continuing professional development and collaborating with TAFE and community organisations.

Feedback was provided by participants about examples of property manager/owner behaviours experienced by tenants, including difficulties in securing properties, unreasonable bond claims, charging of advertising fees or council rates, or not taking a bond.

Participants supported ongoing arrangements for cross-sector stakeholder discussions to enhance communication and education. 

Communication and education

The working group with a focus on improved communication and education with tenants/residents and property managers/owners met on 11 November, and was attended by representatives from:

• POAQ
• REIQ
• Southern Cross Care (Qld)
• TQ

Participants discussed issues raised by the previous working groups, including the review of content on reletting costs and the usefulness of the reletting costs calculator. Information on break leases will be included in a review of the RTA website content on ending tenancies. The role of the RTA and QCAT for repair orders was also mentioned, noting there are no offence provisions for minimum housing standards.

Feedback was provided on other communication activities including updates to RTA forms, quarterly services data, and proposed changes to consolidate and promote RTA webpages over PDF fact sheets.

Participants noted efforts to prepare property managers for the storm season, arrange housing for support workers, and respond to telephone inquiries from property owners. RTA web content is also being updated to clarify that special terms can’t contradict the legislation on reletting costs.

More information about the stakeholder working groups

The stakeholder working groups were initiated by the RTA following publication of the RTA’s Stakeholder Engagement Framework in September 2024. The framework was developed in consultation with stakeholders to address the diverse needs and perspectives of the Queensland rental sector and improve the way the RTA engages with stakeholders.

Stakeholder feedback on the working groups is currently being reviewed. Stakeholders can express interest in the working groups or provide feedback on the RTA’s stakeholder engagement framework by completing this short stakeholder survey.