Queensland Rental Code Under Review

Property owners and renters are invited to have their say as the State Government plans to overhaul 40-year-old renting laws.

The review looks at how to make it easier for renters to have pets and have repairs done sooner, along with provide greater power for owners to charge for repairs not covered by rental bonds.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the reforms were long overdue and in response to increasing densification and population growth.

“In South Brisbane alone, we have seen a 123 per cent increase in the numbers of rental properties coming into the market,” she said.

Rentals make up 60 per-cent of household in South Brisbane, with half the renters in the area living in apartments.

Many residents are renting longer, with 43 percent of Queensland tenants renting for more than 10 years.

Housing Minister Mick de Brenni said that “mum and dad” property investors have nothing to worry about.

“These tenancies are ripe for reform,” he said.

“So what we really want it to get to is the nub of how we can make renting fairer for everybody,” he said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the state needed contemporary residential tenancy laws.

“The last full-scale review and changes to regulations dates back to the 1970s. It is well and truly time for another now,” she said.

There is an online survey open for public comment and submissions to the department will be open until 30 November.