The Queensland Government has announced that the remaining Stage 2 Rental Law Reforms will be implemented in two phases, beginning on 30 September 2024 and 1 May 2025.
Here’s a breakdown of the changes coming into effect on 30 September 2024:
- Landlords or property managers will be required to offer tenants at least one rent payment method that incurs no fees. Additionally, tenants must be informed of any costs linked to other payment options.
- Landlords will need to provide tenants with supporting evidence for bond claims or dispute resolution requests within 14 days of submitting the claim or request.
- The current bond limit thresholds will be eliminated. Moving forward, a maximum bond equivalent to four weeks’ rent will apply to all rental properties, regardless of the weekly rent amount.
- In certain cases, tenants will be allowed to request a bond refund if their bond exceeds the required amount when a tenancy is renewed.
- Service charge and water consumption bills must be provided to tenants within four weeks of being issued by the relevant authority. Otherwise, tenants will not be responsible for paying those charges.
- When a tenant breaks their lease, reletting costs must be calculated using a statutory formula.
The second phase of changes, effective 1 May 2025, includes the following:
- Property managers must use a prescribed form when handling tenancy applications.
- Only specific types of information can be requested from prospective tenants, with certain information prohibited from being requested.
- New rules will govern the process for verifying tenant identity.
- Property managers will need to disclose any financial benefits they receive from third-party rent payment services.
- The notice period for entry will be extended from 24 hours to 48 hours.
- New procedures will be introduced for tenants to request the installation of fixtures or structural alterations to rental properties.
