Rent Increase QLD Rules: What Every Tenant Should Know

Getting a rent increase notice can be stressful, especially if you’re not sure whether it’s actually legal. Queensland has clear rules under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act about when and how rent can go up. Here’s a simple breakdown.

The 12-Month Rule

In Queensland, your rent cannot be increased more than once every 12 months. Since 6 June 2024, this limit is tied to the property, not the tenancy – so the 12-month clock keeps running even if:

• A new owner or agent takes over the property
• A new tenant signs a fresh agreement
• The last increase happened under a previous tenant’s lease

If your property manager tries to raise the rent sooner than 12 months since the last increase, that’s an offence under the Act, with penalties of up to 20 penalty units.

Source: Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA)

Your Right to Proof

Not sure when the rent was last increased? You can ask your property manager or owner in writing for evidence of the last increase date. They must give you this information within 14 days. Ignoring this request is also an offence.

The one exception: if your property is being rented out for the very first time, the “last increase” date is simply the day your tenancy started.

How Much Notice You Should Get

The notice period depends on your agreement type:

For a fixed-term agreement, rent can only go up if the lease itself says it will, states the new amount (or how it’s calculated), and the 12-month gap has passed. A rent increase clause in your lease isn’t automatic – you must still receive separate written notice with the new amount and effective date.

For a periodic agreement (rolling month-to-month), the same 12-month and notice rules apply.

Signing a New Agreement

If your fixed term ends and you sign a new lease, your property manager can increase the rent as part of that new agreement – no separate notice is needed. But the 12-month rule still applies.

If you don’t sign a new agreement, your tenancy simply rolls over into a periodic one under the same terms, and normal notice periods apply for any future increase.

What If the Increase Feels Excessive?

You don’t have to just accept it. You can:

1. Talk to your property manager first – many issues get sorted this way.
2. Apply for dispute resolution through the RTA.
3. Apply to QCAT (Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal) for a formal decision.

Timing matters here:

• Existing agreement: apply within 30 days of getting the notice (and before a fixed-term lease ends).
• New agreement: apply within 30 days of signing it.

QCAT will look at things like local market rents, how big the increase is, the property’s condition, how long you’ve lived there, and when the rent was last raised.

Bond Increases Too

If your rent goes up, your bond might increase alongside it – but only if it’s been at least 11 months since the last bond increase (or the start of your tenancy). You’ll get at least one month’s notice to pay the extra bond, and it generally gets lodged with the RTA.

As of 30 September 2024, the maximum bond allowed is:

• 4 weeks’ rent for general tenancies
• 2 weeks’ rent for moveable dwellings (or 3 weeks if electricity is included)

The Bottom Line

Queensland tenants are protected from frequent or unexpected rent hikes. If you’re ever unsure whether an increase is valid, ask for written proof of the last increase date, check the notice period you received, and don’t hesitate to raise a dispute if something feels off.

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Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Rent increase rules can change, and individual circumstances vary. For guidance on your specific situation, contact the Residential Tenancies Authority on 1300 366 311 or seek independent legal advice.