From 1 May 2025, significant rental law reforms have come into effect across Queensland, following the enactment of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024. These reforms are aimed at improving transparency, enhancing tenant rights, and clarifying the responsibilities of landlords and property managers.
As a commercial and property law firm based in Brisbane, Ensure Legal summarises the key changes below and provides practical insights to help you stay compliant under the new regime.
Key Changes for Landlords and Property Managers
1. New Standardised Rental Application Forms (Form 22 / R22)
All rental applications must now use the new approved Form 22 (for general tenancies) or Form R22 (for rooming accommodation).
- Applicants must be offered at least two different ways to apply.
- At least one method must not be considered “restrictive” (e.g., online-only platforms requiring third-party sign-ins are no longer acceptable as the only method).
2. Limits on Property Entry After Notice to Leave
Once a Form 12 (Notice to Leave) or Form 13 (Notice of Intention to Leave) has been issued, the landlord or agent may only enter the premises twice in a 7-day period.
- Exceptions apply, such as emergencies or by mutual agreement.
3. Extended Entry Notice Periods
For general tenancies, the minimum entry notice has increased from 24 to 48 hours.
- Rooming accommodation still requires 24 hours’ notice for cleaning, but 48 hours for other reasons.
4. Disclosure of Financial Benefits
Landlords and property managers must now disclose any financial benefit they receive from the rent payment methods they promote.
- Tenants must also be made aware of any additional costs associated with rent payment methods.
5. New Fixture and Alteration Request Process (Form 23)
Tenants can now use a dedicated form (Form 23) to request the installation of fixtures or structural alterations.
- Landlords must respond within 28 days.
6. Stricter Rules on Personal Information
New rules now restrict the kind of personal data that can be collected, stored, and used during the rental application and tenancy process.
- This aims to minimise privacy risks and protect tenant information.
7. New Offences and Penalty Provisions
Amendments to the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 introduce new offence provisions.
- Non-compliance may result in penalties. It is essential for landlords and agents to review their processes and documents immediately.
Updated RTA Forms Effective 1 May 2025
To comply with the above changes, the following RTA forms have been revised or introduced:
- Form 9 / R9 – Entry notice
- Form 10 – Lessor’s intention to sell
- Form 12 / R12 – Notice to leave
- Form 13 / R13 – Notice of intention to leave
- Form 14a / 14b – Exit condition reports
- Form 16 – Dispute resolution request
- Form 17a / 17b – Pocket guide for tenants
- Form 18a / 18b / R18 – Tenancy and rooming accommodation agreements
- Form 21 – Request to keep a pet
- Form 22 / R22 – New standard rental application forms
- Form 23 – Request for fixture or structural change
- Investigation Request Form
- Pet Request Response Template for Lessors
Ensure Legal strongly recommends that landlords, onsite managers, and agents immediately update their documentation and processes to reflect these changes.
Stay Compliant with Ensure Legal
Whether you’re a landlord, investor, or managing agent, Ensure Legal can assist you with:
- Reviewing and updating your lease agreements
- Providing compliant templates and notices
- Advising on penalties and dispute resolution
- Conducting audits to ensure privacy and process compliance
If you have questions or require assistance with adapting to the new laws, feel free to contact our team.
