Support Queensland renters

Snapshot

• $160 million Renters Relief Package to tackle cost-of-living pressures
• Consultation to introduce a Rental Sector Code of Conduct
• Ban on all forms of rent bidding
• Portable bond scheme to be established to cut the up-front cost of moving house

Strengthening renters’ rights

The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 received Assent on 6 June 2024. It makes several changes to Queensland’s rental laws to strengthen renters’ rights and stabilise rents.

Changes to the law will come into effect in stages. We have prioritised reforms that respond to current housing market conditions, including applying the 12-month limit on rent increases to the rental property instead of the tenancy and banning all forms of rent bidding. Other reforms will commence on a date to be set by Proclamation to give the sector time to prepare for implementation, including:

• protecting renters’ privacy by requiring 48 hours’ notice for entries other than general inspections, safety checks and in emergencies
• developing a prescribed form for rental applications and requiring that personal information be stored and destroyed securely
• limiting re-letting costs based on the time remaining on a fixed-term lease
• requiring property owners or their agents to pass on utility bills promptly and disclose financial benefits they receive from any rent payment methods they offer
• giving renters a fee-free option to pay rent and choice about how to apply for a rental property
• capping all rental bonds and requiring that claims against rental bonds be substantiated.

Read more about rental law reforms.

Strengthening consumer protections in Queensland residential parks

On 6 June 2024, the Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Amendment Act 2024 received assent. These amendments improve consumer protections in residential parks and ensure it’s still viable for investors and operators to provide this housing option.

The reforms now in effect include:

• site rent increases limited to 3.5% or CPI (whichever is higher)
• prohibition of market rent reviews
• buyback and site rent reduction scheme introduction
• revised protections for homeowners with terminated site agreement.

Reforms that give homeowners multiple payment options commence on 6 December 2024 for new homeowners and 6 December 2025 for existing homeowners.

Other reforms will commence on dates established by proclamation after consultation with key stakeholders on new forms and regulations.

• Read more about reforms for residential parks.
• Find out when each reform will be implemented.

Expanded eligibility for our private rental products

As part of the Renters Relief Package, we have expanded eligibility for our private rental products, including Bond Loans and Rental Grants to help customers find and apply for a place to rent, move into a rental, help to pay their rent if they’re having difficulties.

We can provide help to eligible people to pay bond and rent, cover moving costs and help customers to afford household items.

Find out more and check your eligibility.

Modernising the housing legislative framework

We will continue to modernise the housing legislative framework to improve consumer protections in the rental market, residential parks, retirement villages and residential services, while ensuring that it’s still viable for investors and operators to provide these housing options.

A Renters Relief Package

We will deliver a comprehensive $160 million Renters Relief Package to help tackle the cost of living with more funding, expanded eligibility and new ways to help renters into a home. The package will give more households immediate cost-of-living support while we build new homes, including help to pay bonds and rent.

We are also doubling our specialist customer service team at Housing Service Centres around Queensland, with more than 40 new RentConnect officers to assist renters at every stage of their housing journey.

We’ve expanded eligibility to deliver more support for more Queenslanders, including:

• bond loans – interest and fee-free bond loans for renters
• bond loans plus – a loan to cover both the rental bond and 2 weeks rent
• rental grants – a one-off grant of 2 weeks rent to support people in crisis
• rental security subsidy – a payment that can help people stay in their home.

Portable bonds

Pressure in the rental market means a lot of people are having to move around more often to find a home they can afford. We are reducing the costs of moving by introducing legislation to establish a portable bond scheme that allows renters to transfer their bond when relocating from one rental property to another.

Consultation on a Rental Sector Code of Conduct

We must do more to strengthen the rules and clarify the expectations of all parties in the rental sector. The government will consult on a Rental Sector Code of Conduct to strengthen these rules and protect all parties.