Modifications and personalisation
The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 received Assent on 6 June 2024. Changes to the law will come into effect in stages. The 'fairer fees and charges' reforms will commence on a date to be fixed by Proclamation to give the sector time to prepare for implementation. Current rental laws apply until the changes come into effect.
Read more about changes to Queensland’s rental laws.
Framework to install safety, security or accessibility modifications
Some renters need to modify their rental property for safety, security or accessibility purposes. Currently, under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (RTRA Act), renters and property owners can agree to changes, but owners don’t always respond promptly and sometimes unreasonably withhold consent.
The new laws allow work to commence to develop a framework to help parties agree on installing modifications that are necessary for a renter’s safety, security or accessibility.
The framework will be prescribed by Regulation and developed in consultation with the residential rental sector.
This reform will make it easier for renters to live safely and independently in their rented home.
Changes that aren’t necessary for safety, security or accessibility
Renters often wish to personalise their rental property, such as by hanging pictures or planting a garden, to make it feel like home. However, currently there is no formal process to request such a change or respond to a request.
The new laws will clarify the process for making and responding to personalisation requests. For example:
- Renters will be required to make requests on an approved form.
- Rental property owners will be required to provide their decision to the renter in writing within 28 days unless the parties agree to a longer timeframe.
If the owner agrees to the request, they will be able to include conditions, such as the change must be removed at the end of the tenancy.
If parties can’t agree, they can access the Residential Tenancies Authority free dispute resolution service to help them resolve the dispute. If this is unsuccessful, renters can apply to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal for an order about making a change.
This reform will encourage renters to stay in their rental property longer. It will commence on a date to be fixed by Proclamation.
Changes to a common area
Current rental laws are not clear about the process for a renter to request a change to a part of their rental home that is a common area in a community titles scheme.
The new laws provide that if a renter requests a change to a common area, the property owner will be required to tell the renter their decision within 28 days.
If the owner approves the request, the decision will then be subject to body corporate approval. The owner must give the request to the body corporate within 28 days of receiving it from the renter.
If approved, the renter will be required to comply with any conditions of the body corporate and the owners’ approval when making the change.
This reform will commence on a date to be fixed by Proclamation.