In Queensland General Residential Tenancies are subject to and governed by the Residential Tenancies Act 1994.
The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) is an independent government
organisation that administers the Act. The RTA also assists landlords
and tenants to understand their legal rights and obligations under the
Act.
The Act applies to both verbal and written agreements and covers most
residential tenancies. However some leases are not covered under the
Act. These include
- agreements for premises that are part of an educational institution, hospital, nursing home or retirement village.
- certain agreements under which the tenant is being supplied with temporary
refuge accommodation. - agreements under the Mobile Homes Act 1989.and
- Holiday homes.
For a list of other exclusions one should consult the
Before the tenant moves into the rented premises or enters into a Residential Tenancy Agreement
there are several documents that they must receive from the Landlord or
the landlords agent. These include a written copy of the lease, a list
of costs that they will need to pay when they sign the lease and a
booklet called
This booklet explains the rights and responsibilities of the tenant and
those of the landlord. It is freely available from the Residential
Tenancies Authority.
The tenant must be given time to read and understand the terms of the tenancy agreement before being asked to sign it.
are available from RP
Emery and Associates as a downloadable MS word document. Unlike a
hardcopy agreement the MS word document can be used time and again and
it also allows a certain amount of flexibility to edit as you see fit.
For more information consult the RTA or