The Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy is reminding stakeholders that changes in legislation ending no-grounds rental evictions and making it easier for renters to have a pet, come into force on 1 October.
Minister for Communities and Housing, Leeanne Enoch said this was the final step in the Stage One Rental Law Reforms which was passed by 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,” Ms Enoch said.
“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,” she said.
Ms Enoch said minimum housing standards for rental properties would 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,” she 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 safety was a priority and that people experiencing domestic and family violence had options.”
The Minister said these reforms allowed renters experiencing domestic and family violence to end their tenancy quickly, with limited end-of-lease costs, and to change locks without the landlord’s permission.
“The sector now has firm commencement dates for all Stage One Rental Law Reforms with sufficient time to understand, prepare and transition,” Ms Enoch said.
