QLD Tenancy Law Changes 2025 - What Property Owners and Investors Need to Know

These updates bring significant adjustments for property owners
and investors, particularly in terms of application processes, property entry rules, tenant
communication, and privacy regulations. Here’s what you need to know to stay compliant
and protect your investment.

New Rental Application Form (Form 22/R22)
A key change is the introduction of the Form 22/R22, a new standardised rental application form. This form must be used for all rental applications, ensuring uniformity across the state.
Importantly, applicants must be provided with at least two different methods to submit
their applications—one of which cannot be classified as a 'restrictive way'. This aims to make the application process more accessible and transparent for tenants.

Changes to Entry Frequency After Notices
The Act now limits the number of times a property manager or owner can enter the property after issuing a Notice to Leave (Form 12) or if a tenant provides a Notice of Intention to Leave (Form R12). Under the new legislation, entry is restricted to no more than two times in a seven-day period while the notice is in effect. This change is designed to respect tenant privacy while allowing essential access for property management. There are specific exceptions, but these are limited to emergencies or mutual agreement.

Extended Entry Notice Period
Another significant amendment is the extension of the entry notice period. For general
tenancies, the required notice has increased from 24 hours to 48 hours. For rooming
accommodation, 24 hours’ notice is required for room cleaning, while 48 hours’ notice is
necessary for any other reason. This adjustment aims to provide tenants with more time to prepare for entry, enhancing privacy and predictability.

Disclosure of Financial Benefits
Property managers and owners are now required to disclose any financial benefits they
receive from rent payment methods offered to tenants. Furthermore, tenants must be made aware of any costs involved in processing their rent payments. This transparency measure is intended to prevent hidden fees and promote fair dealings between property owners and tenants.

New Form for Fixtures and Structural Changes (Form 23)
If tenants wish to make fixtures or structural changes to the property, they must now
submit a request using the Form 23. Property managers and owners are given 28 days to respond to such requests. This formalised process streamlines the communication between tenants and property owners, ensuring clarity and compliance with the new regulations.

Limits on Collecting and Storing Personal Information
The amendments also introduce new limits on the collection and storage of personal
information by property managers and owners. Only necessary information may be
collected, and strict guidelines are in place to ensure tenant privacy is respected. This
change reflects a growing emphasis on data protection and privacy in the property sector.

Final Thoughts
These changes reflect a significant shift towards enhancing tenant rights and ensuring
transparency in Queensland's rental market. Property owners and investors must familiarise themselves with these new requirements to remain compliant and protect their investments. Staying updated and aligning property management practices with the new laws will not only avoid penalties but also promote positive tenant relationships.

For more information on these changes, consult the Residential Tenancies and Rooming
Accommodation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 or speak with your
property manager to understand how these adjustments impact your property portfolio.

Source: qld.gov.au