Over the last couple of years, rental reform has been a hot topic in Queensland. Now that it’s been finalised and recently passed in the Queensland parliament, here’s what you should know about the Housing Legislation Bill 2021 and its four provisions.

This is the timeline summary of the Stage 1 Rental Law Reform:

20 October 2021 

Provision 1: Domestic and family violence

Introduced on 20 October 2021, these temporary measures under the COVID-19 residential tenancy response, became permanent. According to Queensland Government, renters experiencing DFV can end their tenancy quickly with limited liability for end of lease costs. If a tenant is experiencing DFV, they: 

• can leave immediately (after giving 7 days notice) and access any bond contribution they made
• will have break lease fees capped at 1 week’s rent
• are not liable for property damage caused by DFV
• any remaining co-renters can be asked to top up the bond by the property owner or manager
• can change the locks to the property without requiring the owner’s consent to ensure their safety
• must provide documentation to support their claim and property owners, managers and their employees must not disclose this information (except where permitted) and may be subject to penalties if they do so.

Source: Rental Law Reform

1 October 2022

Renting with pets

This provision was introduced to accommodate the growing demand of pet owners among tenants. Tenants will still have to ask for pet approval, and the landlord has the right to refuse but only on reasonable grounds.

• a renter can seek the property owner’s permission to keep a pet, and property owners can only refuse a request on identified reasonable grounds, such as keeping the pet would breach laws or by-laws
• the property owner must respond to a request for a pet in writing within 14 days, or consent is implied
• the property owner’s consent may be subject to reasonable conditions such as the pet has to be kept outside. A rent increase or a pet bond are not reasonable conditions.

Source: Rental Law Reform

New grounds for tenancy termination

New grounds to terminate the fixed-term lease agreement have been introduced in this provision to give tenants and property owners more certainty about how and when they can end their agreement. The new grounds include: 

• removal of ‘without grounds’ as a reason to end a tenancy
• new grounds for property owners to end tenancies, including the end of a fixed-term agreement, need to undertake significant repair or renovation, change of use or sale or preparation for sale of the rental property requires vacant possession
• new grounds for renters to end tenancies, including the property is not in good repair or does not comply with the minimum housing standards.

Source: Rental Law Reform

1 September 2023 

Minimum housing standard (when a new lease is entered)

This provision is making sure the residential rental properties have minimum housing standards to allow for tenants’ safety. The minimum standards apply to new leases entered from 1 September 2023 and all tenancies from 1 September 2024.

Source: Rental Law Reform:

Minimum Housing Standard

• the premises to be weatherproof and structurally sound
• fixtures and fittings to be in good repair and not likely to cause injury to a person
• locks on windows and doors
• the premises to be free of vermin, damp and mould
• privacy coverings
• adequate plumbing and drainage
• functioning kitchen and laundry facilities (where supplied).

1 September 2024

All rental properties must comply with minimum housing standard.

If you have any questions about the new Housing Legislation Bill 2021, your property manager will be happy to talk to you about it. Speak to a property manager here.