The Queensland Government has released its Options Paper for 5 priority areas under the Stage 2 rental law reform.
The priorities identified for Stage 2 are:
- installing modifications
- making minor personalisation changes
- balancing privacy and access
- improving the rental bond process
- fairer fees and charges.
The deadline for feedback on the Options Paper is 29 May 2023.
Meanwhile, the Queensland Government has bypassed Parliamentary Committee review of its proposals to limit rent increases to once in each 12 month period, by apparently attaching amendments to the Local Government Electoral and Other Legislation (Expenditure Caps) Amendment Bill and passing the amendments on 18 April 2023.
Under the amendments to the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008, with effect from 1 July 2023, any rent increase after that date will only be valid if it has been 12 months since the previous rent increase.
More frequent rent increases written into tenancy agreements prior to 1 July 2023 will not apply. The restriction applies to all new and existing tenancies.
Once in effect, rent may only be increased within a 12-month period if there is a new tenancy agreement and none of the tenants are the same as those on the previous agreement. The 12 month minimum period continues to apply regardless of a change to the rental property owner or manager.
Changes to rent increases to give Queenslanders who rent a fair go
April 2023
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