Date set for remaining Stage 1 Rental Reforms to commence

Reforms to end no grounds evictions and make it easier for renters to have a pet will commence on 1 October 2022, following Governor in Council approval today.

Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch said this was the final step that gives life to the important Stage 1 Rental Law Reforms passed by the Parliament last year.

“By ending no grounds evictions, renters and property owners now have more certainty about how and when parties can end their tenancy arrangements.

“We have also made it easier for renters to have a pet by requiring owners to have a prescribed reason to refuse such a request,” Minister Enoch said.

After moving through the required parliamentary process, Governor in Council approved a Proclamation fixing 1 October 2022 as the date for the commencement of the remaining provisions of the Housing Legislation Amendment Act 2021. 

Minimum housing standards for Queensland rental properties will start applying to new leases from 1 September 2023 and to all rental properties from 1 September 2024.

“Everyone deserves to live in a safe and secure home,” Minister Enoch said

“The new minimum housing standards will help to ensure all Queensland rental properties meet basic safety, security, and functionality standards.

“The domestic and family violence reforms came into effect on 20 October 2021 because it was important to act quickly to ensure that safety was a priority and that people experiencing domestic and family violence had options,” Minister Enoch said.

“These reforms allow renters experiencing domestic and family violence to end their tenancy quickly with limited end of lease costs and change locks without the landlord’s permission.”

Minister Leeanne Enoch said the sector now has firm commencement dates for all Stage 1 Rental Law Reforms with sufficient time to understand, prepare and transition.

“I encourage renters and property owners or their agents to review their tenancy agreements to ensure they are ready for these reforms when they commence.

“These rental law reforms give Queenslanders certainty in what is a very tight rental market that has been heavily impacted by people from southern states moving to Queensland and people returning from overseas.

“About 34 percent of Queensland households rent and these reforms strike the right balance between the rights of property owners and renters,” Ms Enoch said.

QShelter Executive Director Fiona Caniglia welcomed the reforms.

“QShelter’s vision is that every Queenslander has a home,” she said.

“These rental reforms are an important part of making sure all Queenslanders can make the place they live into their home, whether they rent or not.

“Throughout the consultation process for the reforms, QShelter has advocated for changes to prevent no-cause eviction and to have pets allowed, which we know contributes significantly to quality of life and mental health.

“We are pleased they were part of the first stage of reforms, and we have the certainty of a date for these changes to come into effect.

“We look forward to public consultation for stage two of the reforms,” Ms Caniglia said.

The reforms came about following extensive consultation in 2018 and 2019 in which 135,000 responses were received through the Open Doors to Renting Reform consultation, and more than 15,000 responses to the Regulatory Impact Statement.

The Queensland Government is committed to continuing to improve renting in Queensland by progressing further reform in 2022.

“The Queensland Government will continue to consult with industry, peak and representative groups and other key stakeholders during the second stage,” Ms Enoch said.

Stage 1 Rental Law Reform Commencement Summary

For more information on the rental reforms visit: https://www.chde.qld.gov.au/about/initiatives/rental-law-reform

ENDS

Media contact: Bill Walker 0437 859 987