The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) will introduce new digital services in early December 2019 to make end of tenancy transactions easier and more convenient for customers.

The new suite of Web Services will provide digital options for bond refunds, bond disputes and updating customer details.

RTA Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Smith said the new services are part of the organisation’s continued digital transformation.

“With more than one-third of Queensland households renting, it’s more important than ever that the RTA has user-friendly systems in place that work for both tenants and landlords,” said Ms Smith.

“We’ve been listening to what our customers want, and our new digital options for bond refunds, bond disputes and updating customer details will help make the end of tenancy process easier for everyone.

“We know that over two-thirds of all bond refund requests the RTA receives have already been signed and agreed by the parties, so it was particularly important for us to look at making the agreed bond refund process faster and more efficient for everyone involved.

“One of the most exciting elements of our new Web Services is the new Bond Refund Fast Track, which gives tenants and property owners/managers the option to settle agreed bond refunds with the click of a button in as little as a few minutes.”

Property owners/managers accessing RTA Web Services will need to register for a QGov account using a unique work email, and will also need to know their organisation’s RTA ID. Tenants will need to know their bond numbers to access RTA Web Services. The RTA will inform landlords, agents and tenants on its database of these details.

From 1 February 2020, the new Bond Refund Web Service will replace the existing PDF upload facility for scanned paper refund forms.

Ms Smith said the release of Web Services for end of tenancy transactions follows the successful launch of the RTA’s Bond Lodgement Web Service in mid-2019, and supports the RTA’s commitment to going paperless.

“As part of our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint, the RTA will also stop bulk printing forms and brochures from 1 January 2020,” said Ms Smith.

“However, individual forms will always be available to download from the RTA website – or single copies can be ordered through our Contact Centre.

“The RTA will continue to accept paper forms through the postal system for customers who don’t have digital access.”

Find out more about the RTA’s new digital options for bond refunds, bond disputes and updating customer details in the video below.

In the coming weeks, the RTA will also run a number of free webinars and publish fact sheets and other educational resources on its websites to help customers transition to Web Services.