Queensland rental laws: what changes are coming in May 2025?
From 1 May 2025, further changes to Queensland’s residential tenancy laws will come into effect. These updates are part of a staged rollout of legislation passed in 2024 and will introduce new rules that affect how rental properties are managed across the state.
For property owners, the changes bring added responsibilities, particularly around communication, documentation, and data privacy. Understanding what’s changing, and what steps you may need to take, will be key to staying compliant and managing your property with confidence.
Why Are These Rental Law Changes Happening?
These reforms follow legislative amendments introduced last year after a period of public consultation. While intended to bring greater consistency to rental processes and improve protections for tenants, they also introduce new compliance requirements for those who own or manage rental properties.
With several changes taking effect from May, now is the time to review how these updates could impact your day-to-day property management.
Changes from 1 May
From 1 May 2025, a number of new rules will come into force – shaping how tenancy applications are handled, how access to properties is managed, and how owners respond to tenant requests.
1. Notice Period for Property Entry
The minimum notice period for accessing a rental property is increasing from 24 to 48 hours. This applies to most entry types, including maintenance and inspections, but excludes emergency work, safety checks, and general inspections. The update is intended to give tenants more time to prepare and reduce unnecessary disruption.
2. Standard Rental Application Forms
All applications must now be submitted using a standardised form (Form 22) for general tenancies, or Form R22 for rooming accommodation. Applicants must also be provided with at least two ways to apply, and at least one option must not rely on restrictive technology such as specific platforms or apps.
3. Limits on Personal Information
Stricter rules now apply to what personal information can be requested from prospective tenants. Only information directly relevant to the application may be collected. Any data from unsuccessful applicants must be securely destroyed within specified timeframes.
4. Disclosure of Financial Benefits
If a property owner or manager receives a financial benefit from a particular rent payment method, such as a referral fee from a third-party platform, this must be disclosed to the tenant.
5. Requests to Modify the Property
Tenants can now submit a formal request to make changes to the property, such as installing fixtures or carrying out decorative updates. These requests must be made using Form 23, and a written response is required within 28 days. While owners can approve or decline the request, the process must now follow this formal structure.
Preparing for the latest changes
These updates may affect how you manage key parts of your rental property, especially around leasing, maintenance, tenant communication, and information handling.
Now is the time to review your existing documentation, application procedures, and privacy policies. Staying ahead of the changes can help prevent disputes and ensure you remain compliant under the new rules.
Need Help Adjusting Your Processes?
If you’re unsure how these updates apply to your property or need support with updating your tenancy our property management team at McGrath Aspley is here to help.
Contact us today to find out how we can support you.
Disclaimer
All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice.