Talking Tenancies

Drug contamination in a rental property

Illicit drug laboratories are places where illegal drugs such as methylamphetamine (otherwise known as meth) are manufactured. If illicit drug use or manufacturing occurs in a rental property, this can cause contamination that may affect the liveability or state of repair of the property for future tenants. In this episode, we discuss the steps you can take if you think a rental property has been contaminated from illicit drug activities. In this episode, we are joined by the RTA's Michaela Alletsee to discuss the impacts of drug contamination in a rental property.

Ongoing rental law changes - rent payment options

Further changes to Queensland’s tenancy laws commenced on 30 September 2024. These include changes relating to maximum bond amounts, supporting evidence for claims or disputes on a rental bond by a managing party, rent payment methods, utility bills, re-letting costs and compliance changes. The RTA's Cassie Chow steps us through the changes relating to methods of paying rent in this episode.

Ongoing rental law changes from 30 Sep 2024

Queensland tenancy laws began to change on 6 June 2024, with further changes commencing on 30 September 2024 and 1 May 2025. If you’re a property manager, owner or tenant, it’s important you understand what these changes mean for you. In this episode we break down the changes with RTA expert, Cassandra Chow. Learn more at www.rta.qld.gov.au.

Outstanding bond payments

It’s hard to imagine forgetting to claim your rental bond at the end of a tenancy, but you may be surprised to know the RTA holds more than 100,000 outstanding bond payments, which are sometimes called unclaimed bonds or forgotten bonds. In this episode, we cover the importance of keeping your details up to date with the RTA and how you can check if bond money is owed to you. Joining us for this discussion is the RTA's CEO, Jennifer Smith.

Overview of ongoing rental law changes

Queensland tenancy laws changed on 6 June 2024. The new laws affect rent and increases, bond lodgements and bond refunds, as well as other changes. 

In this episode, we’ll be providing an overview of these new tenancy laws with RTA expert, Jessie Andrell.

Your questions answered on rent increases

From 6 June 2024, changes came into effect for all new and existing tenancies attaching the 12-month frequency limit for rent increases to a property or room, rather than the tenancy or rooming agreement. In this episode, we cover some of the common questions asked around the changes relating to rent increases with RTA Expert, Cassandra Chow.

RTA Compliance & Enforcement

As an experienced regulator, the RTA acts in the public interest to support and protect Queenslanders by addressing issues of alleged non-compliance with the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 in a timely, informed and consistent way.  

We’re committed to upholding and enforcing compliance with the Act through our Compliance and Enforcement team.  In this episode, RTA expert, Scott Catherall joins us to explain compliance and enforcement priorities.

Secondary Dwellings

Property owners can choose to rent out secondary dwellings, such as granny flats to non-household members. It’s important that property owners discuss all terms of an agreement with tenants/residents and ensure the property meets the required standards. In this episode, RTA expert, Susan Cridland joins us to discuss the intricacies of renting a secondary dwelling in Queensland.

Pest Control

Maintaining pest control measures in a rental property are all part of maintaining a healthy living environment and meeting minimum housing standards in Queensland. RTA's expert, Lori Lynam joins us to explain the obligations of property owner/managers and tenants in various situations when it comes to Pest Control.

Minimum Housing Standards

New rules around minimum housing standards are due to come into effect on 1 September 2023 for new tenancies and 1 September 2024 for all tenancies. Minimum housing standards aim to ensure rental properties are safe, secure and functional. They will give tenants, residents, property managers and owners more clarity around the essential requirements and maintenance obligations for Queensland rental properties. In this episode we explore the details with RTA expert, Sam Galer. Visit www.rta.qld.gov.au for more information.