Every Queensland rental property must meet minimum housing standards. This guide explains what they require, what happens when a property falls short, and what owners should check before a new lease.
When the standards started
The standards applied to new and renewing tenancies from 1 September 2023, and to all tenancies from 1 September 2024. They now cover every tenancy, and the property must comply when the tenant moves in and throughout the tenancy.
What the standards require
In plain English, a Queensland rental property must:
- Be weatherproof and structurally sound. Roofing and windows must keep rain out, and decks and stairs must be free from rot or defects
- Be in good repair. Fixtures and fittings, such as electrical appliances, must not be likely to cause injury through normal use
- Be secure. There must be functioning locks or latches on all external doors and windows “that can be reached without a ladder”
- Be free from vermin, damp and mould, unless the tenant caused them. The owner is responsible where the cause is structural, such as a leaking roof or termites, or comes from reasonable use, such as a leaking showerhead
- Have privacy coverings. Curtains or other window coverings must provide privacy “in rooms where the tenant might reasonably expect it”, such as bedrooms. Blinds, tinting and frosting all count
- Have working plumbing and water. Plumbing and drainage must be adequate, with hot and cold water connected and suitable for drinking
- Have a private bathroom and a working toilet. Bathroom areas must provide privacy, and toilets must flush and be connected to a sewer, septic tank or other waste disposal system
- Have a working cooktop, if a kitchen is provided
- Have a functional laundry, if laundry facilities are provided, with the necessary fixtures such as taps and adequate plumbing. White goods aren’t required
In a body corporate, the property must also meet the by-laws, and sometimes the body corporate is responsible for the repairs.
If a property doesn’t meet the standards
During a tenancy, repairs needed to meet the minimum housing standards are classed as emergency repairs. For owners, that means:
- The tenancy agreement must include the name and phone number of the nominated repairer
- If the tenant can’t reach the emergency repair contact within a reasonable timeframe, the tenant or property manager can arrange repairs up to a maximum value of 4 weeks’ rent
- A tenant who pays must ask for reimbursement in writing, and the owner or manager must be given at least 7 days to reimburse
- If an emergency repair isn’t made within a reasonable time, the tenant can apply urgently to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) for a repair order
At the start of a tenancy, tenants have further options:
- A new tenant who believes the property doesn’t meet the standards can end the tenancy within the first 7 days of occupying it, by giving a Notice of intention to leave (Form 13) with at least 14 days’ notice
- If the tenant was given false or misleading information about the property’s condition or inclusions, they can seek a QCAT termination order, after applying for RTA dispute resolution within the first 3 months
- A tenant can also issue a Notice to remedy breach (Form 11), allowing at least 7 days, then lodge an RTA dispute
The tenant must keep paying rent while a matter is under dispute.
A pre-lease checklist for owners
Before a new tenant moves in:
- Check the roof and windows for leaks, and look for rot or defects in decks and stairs
- Test every lock and latch on external doors, and on windows that can be reached without a ladder
- Look for mould and damp on ceilings, in wardrobes and around showers, and find and fix the source
- Make sure bedrooms and other private rooms have blinds, curtains, tinting or frosting
- Run the hot and cold taps, flush every toilet, and check the drains and laundry plumbing
- Turn on every cooktop element or burner
- Look over appliances and fittings for faults that could injure someone
- Confirm the nominated repairer’s name and phone number are in the tenancy agreement
- Check the smoke alarms too, which have their own rules (see our guide to smoke alarm rules for Queensland rentals)
What this means for owners
- A standards issue during a tenancy is an emergency repair, so a reliable repairer and a fast response matter
- A property that falls short at the start gives the tenant options to end the lease early, which can mean an unplanned vacancy
- Dated photos and records of checks and repairs make questions about condition easier to answer
How Barker West handles it
Keeping a property compliant is part of everyday property management. Urgent repairs actioned within 4 hours is one of the 10 key commitments in the Barker West Standard, and routine inspections every 4 months come with photos and written reporting, so you have a regular record of your property’s condition. Read the Barker West Standard. If you are switching agencies, we collect and review your existing maintenance and compliance records as part of the handover.
Have a question about your property and the standards? Talk to us.
This article is general information only and is not legal, financial or tax advice. Rules change, so check the RTA or talk to us about your property.