Public consultation on Stage 2 Rental Law Reforms open in Queensland

Public consultation on Stage 2 rental law reforms has commenced. These proposed reforms come off the back of the Stage 1 rental law reforms passed by Parliament in 2021, which amended laws around minimum standards for Queensland rental properties, ending tenancies and pet ownership.  

The Stage 2 rental law reforms propose to amend laws around: 

• Tenants’ ability to install safety, security and accessibility measures in their rental properties 
• Tenants’ ability to make minor personalisation changes to rental properties 
• Tenants’ rights to privacy and quiet enjoyment and property owners’ entry rights 
• Rental bond settings 
• Rent payment, utility and reletting fees and charges.

The Property Council has long been a champion of safe, secure and widely available rental accommodation. However, it is important that any legislation reforming rental laws needs to strike the right balance to ensure that Queensland’s burgeoning purpose-built student accommodation and build-to-rent sectors, which unlock residential supply by providing dedicated beds for students and long-term renters, are not disincentivised from investment and development, especially in the broader context of the housing crisis.  

You can find out more about the Stage 2 rental law reforms here.  

The government has also passed legislation limiting rent increases in residential tenancy and rooming accommodation agreements to once per year. You can read our advocacy alert here.