Minimum housing standards aim to ensure all Queensland rental properties are safe, secure and functional. These new standards apply to all types of tenancies, including general tenancies, moveable dwellings, and rooming accommodation agreements.

The minimum housing standards specify that rental properties must:

• Be weatherproof and structurally sound.

• Be in good repair, with fixtures and fittings (such as electrical appliances) that are not likely to cause injury through normal use.

• Have functioning locks or latches on all external doors and windows that can be reached without a ladder.

• Be free from vermin, dampness and mould (this does not include cases where the vermin, dampness or mould has been caused by the tenant).

• Include curtains or other window coverings, which provide privacy in rooms where the tenant might reasonably expect it, such as bedrooms.

• Have adequate plumbing and drainage and be connected to hot and cold water that is suitable for drinking.

• Provide privacy in bathroom areas and have flushable toilets connected to a sewer, septic tank or other waste disposal system.

• Have a functioning cook-top, if a kitchen is provided

• Include the necessary fixtures for a functional laundry, such as tap fixtures and adequate plumbing, if laundry facilities are provided the laundry does not have to include a washing machine or other white goods, as these may be provided by the tenant.

To learn more, read the minimum housing standards page provided by the RTA.

Owners must ensure rental premises meet all health and safety requirements, including the installation and maintenance of smoke alarms that meet Queensland standards.

Smoke alarm legislation for houses, townhouses, units and apartments is administered by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Serivces, under the:

• Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 - Fire and Emergency Services (Domestic Smoke Alarms) Amendment Act 2016 (Qld)

• Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008

Click HERE to read more on smoke alarms on the RTA website.

If a tenant requests to keep a pet at your property, you will receive the Request for approval to keep a pet at the premises (Form 21) from the tenant. This will state the type and details of the pet they are requesting to keep in the rental property for your consideration. As the lessor, you must respond to the request within 14 days, which is on or before the date outlined in item 6 of the received request form.

The lessor’s response must state two key pieces of information:

1. Whether you (the lessor) approve or refuse the tenant’s request, and

2. Other conditions for approval, or reasons for refusal of request

   • If you approve the tenant’s request to keep a pet, you may state additional reasonable conditions for the approval and why this applies.

   • If you refuse the tenant’s request to keep the stated pet, you must state the specific reason for refusing the request as outlined under the legislation.

Important: If a lessor does not respond to the request within 14 days, or if their written response does not comply with the legislative requirements of providing approved reasons for the refusal or reasons for the conditions of approval, the request will be taken as approved.

A letter template is available on the RTA website to assist lessors in structuring a compliant response to their tenant’s request to keep a pet.

You can read more about renting with pets on the RTA website.