The Queensland Government has recently introduced the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 (the Bill) to Parliament.

The Bill builds on the changes that came into effect in 2022 and 2023, and aims to further strengthen tenant protections in Queensland.

The proposed rental reforms include:

• banning all forms of rent bidding by introducing a financial penalty for owners and agents engaging in the practice;
• requiring bond claims to be supported by evidence and generally improving the rental bond process to increase accountability and transparency;
• increasing renters’ privacy by extending notice periods form 24 to 48 hours; limiting access at the end of a tenancy; and limiting the personal information that can be requested/collected;
• making it easier for tenants to modify and personalise the property, and introducing a dispute resolution process in circumstances whereby the parties cannot agree;
• stabilising rent by legislating a 12-month limit on rent increases which attaches to a property rather than the lease;
• giving renters access to a number of new schemes which will offer renters fee-free options to pay rent;
• a standardised rental application form for all property managers to provide uniformity across the industry; and
• a portable bond schemes allowing renters to transfer bonds between tenancies and offering short-term “top-ups’ in the event that part of the bond has been claimed by a landlord.

The Bill is currently before the Parliamentary Committee for Cost of Living for review prior to returning to Parliament later in the year.

We will monitor and report on any developments. In the meantime, it is important to remember that the current rental laws continue to apply until any proposed changes are passed into law.

Written by Brenden Eames

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