Renting in Queensland: bond, rent rises and notice

Starting a tenancy

The property manager or owner must give you a written agreement and an entry condition report. You return the signed condition report within 7 days of the later of moving in or receiving it; if you do not, you are taken to agree with the owner’s description of the property.

Rent must be payable by at least two methods, one of which must not cost more than reasonable transaction costs. Any cost, and any financial benefit the owner or manager receives from a payment method, must be disclosed before you sign. Since 1 May 2025, rental applications must use the prescribed application form, and you must be offered at least two ways to apply.

The bond

• Cap: 4 weeks’ rent for general tenancies and rooming accommodation, whatever the weekly rent, for agreements signed on or after 30 September 2024. The cap applies to any bond called by another name, such as a pet bond, and taking more is an offence.
• Lodgement: whoever receives the bond must give you a receipt and lodge it with the RTA within 10 days. Lodging is done online or by post. The RTA holds the bond for the length of the tenancy.
• Paying directly: you can pay the bond to the RTA through its online lodgement service.
• Increases: the bond may rise with the rent only if at least 11 months have passed since the last bond increase or the start of the tenancy, with at least one month’s written notice, and never above 4 weeks’ rent.
• Refund: if you both agree, you sign a refund form together. If not, one party can lodge it alone; the RTA refunds any undisputed amount and the other party has 14 days to dispute. Unresolved disputes can go to QCAT.

Rent increases

• Rent cannot rise until 12 months after the current rent became payable, even if the last increase was under a different tenant or agent. Increasing sooner is an offence.
• At least 2 months’ written notice for general tenancies (4 weeks for rooming accommodation).
• In a fixed term, a clause in the agreement is not enough: it must state that rent will rise and the amount or method, and the owner must still give separate written notice.
• If you think an increase is excessive, raise it first with the owner or manager, then use the RTA’s dispute resolution or apply to QCAT.

Ending a tenancy

The RTA states that owners and managers must give a valid reason under the Act, using a Notice to leave. Minimum notice for general tenancies includes:

Reasons such as sale or owner occupation cannot be used to end a fixed term early. As a tenant you give a Notice of intention to leave: 14 days without grounds for a periodic agreement; for a fixed term, the later of 14 days or the end date. Shorter periods apply to listed grounds, such as 7 days for domestic and family violence.

Entry

Entry normally needs an entry notice. Since 1 May 2025 the general minimum for most reasons is 48 hours (it was 24). A routine inspection needs 7 days’ notice and cannot happen more than once every 3 months unless you agree in writing. Once a Notice to leave or Notice of intention to leave is in effect, the owner can enter no more than twice in any seven-day period, with exceptions. Emergencies and entry by your agreement are exceptions.

Minimum housing standards

Minimum housing standards apply to all general tenancies: from 1 September 2023 for new and renewed agreements and from 1 September 2024 for all remaining tenancies. They cover safety and security (weatherproof and structurally sound, working locks on external doors and windows, free from vermin, damp and mould, window coverings in bedrooms) and reasonable functionality (adequate plumbing, hot and cold water, private bathrooms, flushing toilets, a working cooktop if a kitchen is provided). If the property does not meet them, you may be able to end the tenancy within the first 7 days with a Form 13 and 14 days’ notice.

Pets

Ask in writing. The owner or manager must reply in writing within 14 days of receiving the request form, stating whether it is approved or refused and any conditions or reasons. If they do not respond validly within 14 days, the request is automatically approved. They cannot ask for extra rent or an extra bond as a condition. Assistance, guide, hearing, corrective services and police dogs do not need approval. For a refusal dispute, contact the RTA.

Which professional to consult

A property manager or real estate agent runs most tenancies day to day. For a dispute, a tenant advocacy service or a community legal centre can explain the rules, and the RTA offers dispute resolution and information on 1300 366 311. This guide states published rules and is not legal advice.