Rent Increase Laws in Queensland: The New 12-Month Rule

Queensland currently operates one of the strictest rent increase frameworks in Australia. Following significant amendments to the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (RTRA Act)—which originally commenced on 1 July 2009—that took effect on June 6, 2024, landlords must navigate severe limitations on both the timing and the frequency of rent increases.

The 12-Month Limit (Attached to the Property)

In Queensland, rent can only be increased once every 12 months (Section 93).

Crucially, the 2024 Stage 2 Rental Law Reforms fundamentally changed how this 12-month limit is applied. The 12-month limit is now attached to the property, not the tenancy.

This means a landlord cannot bypass the 12-month rule simply by finding a new tenant.

Scenario: Changing Tenants

• January 1: You increase the rent for Tenant A to $600/week.
• June 1: Tenant A breaks their lease and moves out. You find Tenant B to move in.
• Result: You cannot increase the rent for Tenant B. Even though Tenant B is signing a brand new agreement, the rent cannot exceed $600/week until the following January 1, twelve full months after the last increase on that specific property.

Note on Exemptions: A lessor may apply to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) for an order to increase rent within the 12-month period only if they would otherwise suffer "undue hardship" (Section 94). QCAT will consider the tenant's ability to pay in its decision. Note that if a property was previously owner-occupied and has not had a rent increase in at least 12 months, the rule is satisfied and no QCAT application is required to set the initial rent for a new tenancy.

Notice Periods for Rent Increases

When a landlord is legally permitted to increase the rent (i.e., it has been 12 months since the last increase), they must still adhere to strict notice periods depending on the type of tenancy agreement in place. Under Section 91, the written notice must state the increased rent amount, the day the increase takes effect, and the day the rent was last increased for the premises. There is no prescribed RTA form for this notice.

Periodic Tenancies

For a month-to-month (periodic) lease, the landlord must provide the tenant with at least two months' written notice before the new rental rate takes effect.

Fixed-Term Agreements

For a landlord to increase the rent during an active fixed-term lease, the lease agreement itself must explicitly state:

1. That the rent can be increased.
2. How the increase will be calculated (e.g., tied to CPI, or a flat dollar amount).

If the lease does not contain an escalation clause, you cannot increase the rent midway through the fixed term, regardless of how long ago the last increase occurred. The rent is locked in until the lease is renewed.

When the fixed-term lease is expiring and the landlord intends to offer a new fixed-term renewal at a higher rate, they must provide the tenant with at least two months' written notice prior to the commencement of the new lease.

Mandatory Disclosure of Past Increases

Because the 12-month rule is attached to the physical dwelling, the law mandates transparency regarding previous increases.

Under Section 57A of the RTRA Act, the lessor or agent must ensure the written tenancy agreement states the day the rent was last increased for the premises. Furthermore, under Section 57B, if a tenant or prospective tenant requests evidence of the last rent increase date, the lessor or agent must provide it in writing within 14 days (such as a redacted previous lease agreement or a rent ledger).

Failure to include the last increase date in the agreement or failing to provide requested evidence are penalty offenses under Queensland law.

Simplifying QLD Compliance

Navigating the new "attached to the property" legislation makes tracking anniversaries a logistical nightmare, especially across large multi-tenant unit complexes. Landager takes the stress out of compliance by tracking the exact date of every rent increase at the property-level, locking out illegal increases in your ledger and digitally generating mathematically precise notices (providing at least 2 months' notice) for your tenants exactly when the law allows.

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2024 Legislative Reform Spotlight: Queensland

The Queensland rental landscape underwent its most significant transformation in a decade throughout 2024. The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 was introduced to rebalance the power dynamic between lessors and tenants in a tight rental market.

The 12-Month Rent Increase "Property Anchor"

Perhaps the most impactful change is the 12-month rent increase "Property Anchor." Section 93 ties the 12-month limit to the physical dwelling. If you purchase a property where rent was increased by a prior owner 4 months ago, you cannot increase it for another 8 months—even for a new tenant. This mandates rigorous due diligence during any real estate acquisition to obtain a clear ledger of previous rent increases.

Minimum Housing and Fee-Free Rent

As of 30 September 2024, the maximum bond for all residential tenancies is strictly capped at the equivalent of 4 weeks' rent, regardless of the weekly rental amount (the previous $700/week threshold has been removed). Lessors must now offer at least one fee-free method to pay rent to protect tenants from hidden transaction costs or third-party portal fees. Lastly, strict minimum housing standards now actively mandate properties must be weatherproof, structurally sound, free of vermin, damp, and mold, and possess functioning privacy locks on all external entryways prior to the commencement of any tenancy.

Routine Inspections and Maintenance

To further protect tenant quiet enjoyment, routine inspections are strictly capped and notice periods have clear statutory minimums. Landlords and their property managers must act transparently when executing entry notices, documenting visual damage clearly without violating the tenant’s right to home privacy. Retaliatory evictions are closely monitored, and any attempts to terminate an agreement shortly after a tenant requests emergency repairs will be heavily scrutinized by the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) and QCAT.

How Landager Helps

Navigating Queensland’s strict regulatory environment—particularly the 2024 RTRA Act amendments linking rent increases to the property—requires precision. Landager's platform automates compliance for QLD landlords by tracking 12-month rent lock periods, generating perfectly timed, legally compliant rent increase notices, and ensuring bond lodgments adhere to the new 4-week unified cap. Keep your portfolio legally pristine with integrated RTA guidance.