The Housing Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 was passed in the Queensland Parliament on 14 October 2021.
As of 20 October, these laws are now part of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation (RTRA) Act and are in place.
The temporary regulatory measures, that were introduced under the COVID-19 residential tenancies response, will become permanent.
Tenants experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV):
- 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.
Laws regarding pets, ending tenancies and minimum housing standards have not yet commenced.
Changes under the ending tenancies fairly reforms will 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
- newgrounds for renters to end tenancies, including the property is not in good repair, or does not comply with the minimum housing standards.
Changes making it easier for renters to have a pet include:
- 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
Changes applying to new leases entered from 1 September 2023 and all tenancies from 1 September 2024 include:
- 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)
Stacey Lee Realty has experienced Property Managers to handle the task of maintaining your investment and ensure your investment is working for you with minimal hassles. Call us today at 07 3399 2966 or visit www.staceyleerealty.com.au