From 1 September 2024, all rental properties in Queensland must comply with the Minimum Housing Standards, following their staged rollout which began for new tenancies in September 2023. These reforms represent a significant shift in Queensland’s rental laws, aimed at ensuring that all tenants—regardless of location or property type—live in homes that are safe, secure, and functional.
At Ensure Legal, we assist landlords, property managers, and tenants in understanding and fulfilling their legal responsibilities under these updated regulations.
What Are Minimum Housing Standards?
The new standards apply to all rental arrangements in Queensland, including:
- General tenancies (e.g. houses, townhouses, units)
- Rooming accommodation
- Moveable dwellings (e.g. caravans)
To meet the minimum housing standards, a rental property must:
- Be weatherproof and structurally sound (e.g. no leaks, rot or unstable decks)
- Be in good repair, with fixtures (e.g. stoves, fans, lights) safe for normal use
- Have functioning locks or latches on all accessible external windows and doors
- Be free from vermin, damp and mould, unless caused by tenant neglect
- Have privacy coverings in areas like bedrooms (e.g. blinds, curtains, tinted glass)
- Provide access to hot and cold drinking water, adequate plumbing and drainage
- Include a flushable toilet, privacy in bathroom areas, and proper waste disposal
- Offer a working cooktop if a kitchen is provided
- Include laundry plumbing fixtures, where laundry facilities exist (a washing machine is not mandatory)
Who Is Responsible?
For Property Owners and Managers:
- You must ensure the property meets the standards at the start of a tenancy and maintains compliance throughout the agreement.
- Any repair needed to meet minimum housing standards is classified as an emergency repair and must be attended to promptly.
For Tenants:
- You must report any issues affecting the property’s compliance as soon as possible.
- If the damage or issue results from your own actions (e.g. poor ventilation causing mould), you may be responsible for fixing it.
Common Questions Answered
🔒 Do all windows and doors need locks?
Yes—if they are accessible without a ladder from outside, they must have functional locks or latches.
🪟 Do I need curtains on every window?
No. Only rooms where privacy is expected, such as bedrooms, require privacy coverings. Natural obstructions like hedges or fences may suffice.
🐜 Who handles mould and pests?
If mould or vermin are caused by building faults, it’s the landlord’s responsibility. If they result from tenant behaviour, the tenant must address the issue.
🚿 Do standards apply to shared areas in caravan parks?
No. Standards apply only to individual movable dwellings and their private site. However, shared facilities must still meet health and safety rules under existing legislation.
What Happens if the Property Doesn’t Comply?
Tenants have several options under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008, depending on whether they are in a general tenancy or rooming accommodation. This may include seeking repairs, conciliation, or applying to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).
Additional Resources
To better understand how these laws apply, the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) has produced:
- Minimum Housing Standards factsheet – General tenancies
- Minimum Housing Standards factsheet – Rooming accommodation
- Animated video explainer
- Webinar recordings with the RTA and BCCM
- Talking Tenancies Podcast
How Ensure Legal Can Help
For landlords, agents, and tenants navigating Queensland’s rental law reforms, Ensure Legal provides tailored legal advice to:
- Review and amend lease documentation
- Address disputes over repair obligations
- Respond to compliance complaints or RTA notices
- Liaise with bodies corporate on shared responsibility matters
Need help with a property that may not meet the new standards? Contact us today for a confidential consultation.
