Preparing your property for rent
Legislative requirements and other steps to be attended to prior to a tenancy
The premises and inclusions are to be clean and are to comply with local and state authority building regulations with it being safe and fit to live in. Refer to the new Minimum Housing Standards Fact sheet. We have also included a copy of cleaning checklist to use as a guide
A Safety Switch is to be installed for the power circuit. Owners of leased domestic residences must have a safety switch installed for the power circuit of the residence after a residential tenancy agreement has been entered into. Compliant certificates must be provided to our office.
All windows and doors including cupboard doors open and close easily. All hinges are secured and aligned
All locks are secure and operate effectively with keys. Two full set of keys to be provided – one set for the agency and one full set for the tenants plus any access keys for each tenant/s named as the lease holder/s under the lease agreement.
The property provides adequate security to enable Tenant/s to obtain contents insurance for personal items.
Blind cords need to be secured and attached to the window frame as per compliance requirements
Carpets are to be in good repair with no rips, ripples or major stains. Carpe ts are to be professionally steam cleaned and a receipt provided to our office.
Pest control is current – annual service is a requirement. If pets have been present, please ensure the pest control includes treatment for fleas. Please provide a receipt to our office.
All rental properties in QLD must be compliant with the new legislation of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 Installation of interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in every bedroom and in the hallway of each level is required. An annual compliance subscription is required.
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If a telephone or NBN connection is not currently installed in the property then the Landlord is to reimburse the Tenant any initial installation/connection costs applicable at time of commencement of tenancy. (Tenant responsible for any service connection fees and ongoing charges).
If a unit or townhouse, a copy of the By Laws is to be provided to the managing agent as these are given to the tenant at the time of signing a lease.
If it is your own home being rented out, we suggest the following:
• Re-direct mail via Australia Post
• Re-direct all Council Rates & Body Corporate Levy Notices to be emailed to our office if you have instructed our agency to pay these on your behalf.
• Notify electricity, gas, phone and other utility companies to finalise accounts – we request electricity remains connected until a new tenancy is secured.
• Notify your Insurance Company of the change of occupancy status. (Taking out a Landlord insurance policy is essential)
If water consumption costs are to be passed onto the Tenant ALL the minimum criteria is to be met as legislation requires. Water efficiency certificate is to be provided in order to charge all water usage to tenants.
If your property has a pool, ensure it meets current Government Regulations in regards to fencing, CPR signage and water consumption/use. Pool safety certificate is to be provided and maintained.
Landlord Protection Insurance. Whilst rental reference checks are completed as thoroughly as lawfully allowed, we can not predict or know how a Tenant’s future ability to meet their tenancy obligations can be affected e.g. in event of death or long illness, loss of job, relationship split, etc. We recommend all Lessors arrange an insurance policy to protect their investment. Brochures are available for landlord specialist policies we often work with.
Contents insurance for your property’s fittings and fixtures is essential & may be included with your building insurance policy or incorporated in a Landlord Protection policy. As your managing agent we also require that you have Public Liability Insurance NOTE: If your property is a unit - Public Liability under Building Insurance, taken out by the Body Corporate, only covers the common areas. It does not cover events inside your unit.
Provide agent copies of operating instructions or manuals for appliances or other items, which Tenants require instructions to use. Provide agent with warranty details for any applicable item or building works, if applicable
Gates and Fences are intact and secure, all gate latches working.
All alarm systems, security cameras or smart home devices need to be cleared of owner access and re-set for tenants use. Please ensure you provide the relevant instructions, codes and contacts for any service companies.
Arrange for any light bulbs to be exchanged for Energy Efficient LED lights and make sure all lights and switches are working and secure.
Ensure all air-conditioning units have been serviced and cleaned - we recommend annual servicing of AC systems to ensure efficient running and to minimise any maintenance repairs.
Repair and repaint any walls that have multiple picture hook holes or TV wall mounts.
Leave any cleaning/care instructions for specific items and if a certain cleaning product is required to be used, please ensure you have supplied the product for tenants use.
Arrange for lawns and gardens to be trimmed and maintained regularly until the Tenant commences lease. Weed and mulch the gardens, remove any debris and/or rubbish.
Ensure any loose tiles are secured, any trip hazards or unsafe areas are made safe
Property Presentation Guide
We pride ourselves on attention to detail and believe that if we present the property in an A1 condition we are more likely to attract a quality tenant that will care for the property in the same manner. Listed below is a simple checklist to ensure that you have attended to important areas that can sometimes be overlooked
1. Stove, rangehood and oven to be cleaned – ensure lights /fans are working and filters are clean
2. Dishwasher filter and drains to be cleaned
3. All exhaust fans throughout property to be cleaned and free of dust
4. Air conditioning vents to be dusted
5. All blinds and shutters to be working, cleaned and free of dust
6. Drapes/Curtains/Blinds to be washed or dry-cleaned according to fabric
7. Windows, screens, tracks and windowsills to be cleaned inside and outside and free of dust
8. Marks to be removed from walls – we recommend washing all walls to remove dust
9. All cupboards, drawers and handles to be cleaned inside and out
10. All light fittings to be cleaned and insects removed
11. All power points and light switches to be cleaned
12. All floors and skirting boards to be washed
13. All mirrors throughout to be cleaned
14. Particular attention should be paid to wet areas to ensure free from mould, dirt and grime.
Grouting and silicone to be free of all residue or mould and shower screen to be cleaned of all mineral build up
Replace toilet seats if more than 5 years old
15. Sinks and drains are to be cleaned/clear and free from debris
16. Cobwebs to be removed inside and out
17. Lawns to be mowed and edges trimmed
18. Garden beds and pebble areas to be weeded
19. No rubbish or garden debris to be left in the gardens or around the property
20. All trees and shrubs to be trimmed and tidy, remove any dead or dying foliage/plants
21. Driveways, garages and any concrete areas & patios to be pressure cleaned and free from dirt and stains
22. All gutters to be cleared of leaves
23. Furniture and upholstery to be left in a clean condition
24. All items on inventory to be accounted for (if applicable)
25. Rubbish bins are empty and clean
The standard in which you first hand a property to a new tenant is the standard in which you can expect it to be returned in. Remember – first impressions count!
Minimum housing standards – general tenancies
Minimum housing standards came into effect for new tenancies from 1 September 2023, meaning if a tenancy agreement is signed or renewed from this date, the property must meet minimum housing standards. Minimum housing standards will come into effect for all remaining tenancies from 1 September 2024. These new standards will apply to all types of tenancies, including general tenancies, moveable dwellings, and rooming accommodation agreements.
This fact sheet will help property managers and owners understand and prepare for the upcoming changes around minimum housing standards for general tenancies in Queensland.
Overview of minimum housing standards
Minimum housing standards aim to ensure all Queensland rental properties are safe, secure and reasonably functional. The new standards complement existing legislation, which states that a property must be fit to live in, in good repair and compliant with health and safety laws. To meet minimum housing standards, the rental property will need to meet the criteria outlined below.
Safety and security
The property must:
• be weatherproof and structurally sound:
o the roofing or windows must prevent water entering the premises when it rains
o the floor, walls, ceiling, roof and any decks or stairs must not be likely to collapse because of a rot, defect, or significant dampness
• be in good repair, with fixtures and fittings (such as electrical appliances) that are not likely to cause injury through normal use
• have functioning locks or latches on all external doors and windows that can be reached from outside the premises without a ladder
• be free from vermin, damp, and mould (this does not include cases where vermin, damp or mould has been caused by the tenant)
• have privacy coverings for windows in all rooms where the tenant could reasonably expect privacy, such as bedrooms. Privacy coverings for windows:
o include blinds curtains, tinting and glass frosting
o do not apply if the line of sight of someone outside the property and someone inside the property is blocked, for example if the window is obstructed by a fence, a hedge, tree, or other feature of the property.
Reasonable functionality
The property must:
• have adequate plumbing and drainage for the number of people occupying the premises
• be connected to a water supply service or other infrastructure that supplies hot and cold water suitable for drinking
• provide privacy in bathroom areas
• have toilets that are all flushable and refillable, and connected to a sewer, septic tank or other waste disposal system
• have a functioning cooktop, if a kitchen is provided
• include the necessary fixtures for a functional laundry, such as tap fixtures and adequate plumbing, if laundry facilities are provided. The laundry does not have to include a washing machine or other white goods as these may be provided by the tenant.
Options when a property does not meet minimum housing standards
There are different options available to tenants depending on if the property fails to meet minimum housing standards when they first move into the property or during the tenancy.
The property manager/owner is responsible for ensuring the premises and inclusions comply with prescribed minimum housing standards at the start and throughout the tenancy. The tenant is responsible for contacting the property manager/owner as soon as they become aware of any repairs that need to be made to the rental property.
The property manager/owner and the tenant should speak with one another and try to resolve any issues which occur during a tenancy. Self-resolution is often the quickest and easiest way to revolve tenancy issues.
Option 1: Tenant moves out of the property within the first seven days of occupancy
From 1 September 2023, new tenants will have the option to end a tenancy within the first seven days of occupying the rental property if they believe it does not meet minimum housing standards. This builds on existing legislation, which allows tenants to end a tenancy within the first seven days of living at the property if it is not fit to live in, unsafe, or not in good repair.
If the tenant chooses this option, they will need to issue the property manager/owner with a Notice of intention to leave (Form 13) on the grounds that the property does not meet minimum housing standards, giving at least 14 days’ notice to end the tenancy for a general tenancy agreement.
If the property manager/owner believes the property is in good repair and meets minimum housing standards, they may treat this as breaking the lease and seek compensation. If this occurs and the property manager/owner and the tenant cannot come to an agreement around compensation, either party can request free RTA dispute resolution.
If the tenant and the property manager/owner still cannot come to an agreement, the party who requested dispute resolution can take the matter to Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), which has the authority to issue legally binding orders.
Option 2: Tenant applies for a QCAT termination order
on the grounds of misrepresentation within the first
three months of occupancy
The tenant can apply to QCAT to request a termination order on the grounds that the property manager/owner gave false or misleading information about the condition of the premises or its inclusions. This is classified as a non-urgent tenancy dispute by QCAT, which means the matter must go through free RTA dispute resolution before it goes to QCAT.
To do this, the tenant must apply for RTA dispute resolution within the first three months of living at the rental property If dispute resolution is unsuccessful, the RTA will issue the tenant with a Notice of unresolved dispute and the tenant can make an application to QCAT for an order to terminate the tenancy.
QCAT will give both the tenant and the property manager/owner an opportunity to present evidence before deciding if they will issue an order to terminate the tenancy. The tenant must continue to pay rent while the matter is under dispute.
Option 3: Tenant requests emergency repairs to the property
Once minimum housing standards come into effect, repairs that are required to make the rental property comply with minimum housing standards will be classified as emergency repairs. This means tenants can follow the process for emergency repairs if they believe that the property does not comply with the prescribed minimum housing standards. The full process is outlined on the emergency repairs webpage.
Option 4: Tenant makes an urgent application to QCAT for a repair order
A repair order is an order made by QCAT addressing any repairs which are needed to the rental property or its inclusions.
The tenant will be able to make an urgent application directly to QCAT for a repair order if a rental property does not comply with minimum housing standards and either:
• have not been able to notify the nominated repairer or the managing party about the need for repairs and have been unable to arrange for a suitably qualified person to carry out emergency repairs themselves
• the emergency repair was not made within a reasonable time after the tenant notified the managing party or nominated repairer.
QCAT will provide a copy of the repair order and any time extensions granted to the RTA.
Find out more in the Repair orders fact sheet
Option 5: Tenant applies for free RTA dispute resolution about making repairs
The tenant can go directly to QCAT for a repair order. However, a tenant may choose to use the RTA's free and impartial dispute resolution service before going to QCAT, even if they are attempting to address the emergency repairs.
If the tenant would like to request RTA dispute resolution, they need to issue the property manager/owner with a Notice to remedy breach (Form 11) and provide them with a timeframe for the repairs to be fixed (minimum of seven days). If the property manager/owner fails to rectify the issue within the timeframe, the tenant can lodge a dispute resolution request with the RTA via the Dispute Resolution Web Service or the Dispute resolution request (Form 16).
If the tenant and the property manager/owner cannot come to an agreement through dispute resolution, the party who requested dispute resolution can apply to QCAT for a decision.
Important: Applications to QCAT must be made within 6 months of the property manager/owner or tenant becoming aware of a breach of an agreement. Tenants should consider this when deciding if they want to go through RTA dispute resolution to ensure their application does not fall outside of this time limit.
Find out more on the dispute resolution webpage
If actions of the tenant cause the property to fail to meet minimum housing standards
Throughout the tenancy, the tenant is responsible for keeping the rental property clean and for not intentionally damaging the property. If the rental property fails to meet minimum housing standards because of issues caused by the actions of the tenant, the property manager/owner can issue the tenant with a Notice to remedy breach (Form 11) and the tenant may have to pay for the repairs
See the breach of the agreement webpage on the RTA website for more information.
Accessing RTA forms
The RTA’s forms can be obtained electronically or in person via: • rta.qld.gov.au • 1300 366 311 (Mon – Fri: 8.30am – 5.00pm) • Level 11, Midtown Centre, 150 Mary Street, Brisbane
Other languages: You can access a free interpreter service by calling the RTA on 1300 366 311 (Monday to Friday, 8 30am to 5.00pm).
Further information
For more information contact the Residential Tenancies Authority.
Disclaimer:
rta.qld.gov.au 1300 366 3 11 RTA Web Services
with us
This fact sheet is prepared for information only. The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 is the primary source on the law and takes precedence over this information should there be any inconsistency between the Act and this fact sheet.
