Changes to rent increases to give Queenslanders who rent a fair go

1. New legislation has been passed by State Parliament limiting the amount of times a landlord can raise rent to once a year

2. The annual limit on rent increases will apply to all new and existing tenancies from 1 July 2023 onwards
3. In addition, caps on electoral spending for all participants in Queensland local government elections has also been passed

The Palaszczuk Government has passed legislation to limit rent increases to once a year to give a fairer go to Queenslander renters.

Amendments to the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008, through the Local Government Electoral and Other Legislation (Expenditure Caps) Amendment Bill 2022, will limit the frequency of rent increases from every six months to once a year for residential tenancies and rooming accommodation agreements.

These amendments will bring Queensland into line with other Australian jurisdictions and balance the rights and interests of Queenslanders who rent, and property owners and investors to maintain rental supply.

It was one of several housing policy reforms to come out of the Government’s Housing Roundtable.

The Parliament also passed legislation setting caps on electoral expenditure for local government in Queensland, bringing the sector into line with a similar rules for state electoral spending and delivering on a State Government 2020 election commitment.

The caps will apply for the March 2024 Local Government elections. 

Further information on Local Government electoral expenditure caps is available here.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier Steven Miles:

“For most households, rent would be the biggest single expense in their household budget.

“The Government is taking immediate action to support renters now.

“The majority of landlords do the right thing, but talking immediate action will protect Queensland renters from landlords who aren’t operating fairly.

“Electoral expenditure caps will ensure there is a fair opportunity for anyone to participate in local government elections.

“We already have so many great councillors who are dedicated to their local communities and this change means more Queenslanders will have the best representation on their councils, as well as the opportunity to stand for election.”

Quotes attributable to Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch:

“With more than one third of Queensland households renting, it’s vital that renters get a fair go.

“As we seek to modernise Queensland’s tenancy laws, we are determined to strike a fair balance which protects the interests of both renters and rental property owners.

“Acting quickly to limit rent increases is a critical government response to community concerns about the impact of current market conditions and cost of living pressures on renting households in Queensland.

“Taking this action will build on the Queensland Government’s record to improve protections in Queensland’s private rental market through strong, balanced rental law reform.

“In addition to protecting the rights of renters and rental property owners, our rental law reform agenda seeks to improve stability in the rental market.”.

ENDS