The Act outlines the rights and responsibilities of tenants, property managers/agents, property owners/landlords and caravan park managers involved in residential renting in Queensland. It sets out what the parties to a tenancy agreement can and cannot do, how to address issues that may arise during a tenancy and explains what measures can be taken if one of the parties to a tenancy breaches the provisions of the law.

The Act also outlines the rights and responsibilities of residents, providers and agents in rooming style accommodation such as boarding houses, supported accommodation, off-campus student accommodation, licensed premises and employer-provided accommodation. Rooming accommodation is generally where accommodation is provided in return for rent of one or more rooms and residents share facilities outside of the room (e.g. bathrooms).

The Act combines and amends the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 1994 and the Residential Services (Accommodation) Act 2002. The 2 Acts were repealed on 30 June 2009 and the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 commenced on 1 July 2009.

The RTA also administers the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Regulation 2009 (the Regulation).

The Housing Legislation Amendment Act 2021 (HLA Act) that came into effect on 20 October 2021 amends both the Act and the Regulation. Read more about the HLA Act.

The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 came into effect on 6 June 2024, amending the Act. Read more about the ongoing rental reforms.