Last updated 26 April 2020; originally published 24 April 2020 

The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) has released a suite of new forms to assist all Queenslanders to work together to ensure sustainable tenancies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This follows the introduction of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Regulation 2020, which was released on 24 April 2020 and contains temporary amendments to the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008.

The regulation will remain in place during the COVID-19 emergency period and will expire on 31 December 2020, as outlined in the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020.

You can learn more about what these changes mean for you by reading the Residential Tenancies Practice Guide.

The new and updated RTA forms – for general tenancies and rooming accommodation –  released for the COVID-19 emergency period are listed below.

• Domestic and family violence notice ending tenancy
• Domestic and family violence notice ending residency
• Domestic and family violence report
• Show cause notice for rent arrears – Tenancy agreement
• Show cause notice for rent arrears – Rooming accommodation
• Notice of lessor’s intention to sell premises (Form 10)
• Notice to leave (Form 12)
• Notice to leave - Rooming accommodation (R12)
• Notice of intention to leave (Form 13)
• Notice of intention to leave - Rooming accommodation (R13)
• COVID-19 Dispute Resolution Web Service
• COVID-19 Dispute resolution request (Form 16a)
• General tenancy COVID-19 variation agreement (Form 18d)
• Rooming accommodation tenancy COVID-19 variation agreement (Form 18e)
• Moveable dwelling tenancy COVID-19 variation agreement (Form 18f).

Under the new legislation, conciliation through the RTA will be mandatory for tenancy disputes caused by the excessive hardship resulting from COVID-19 - if parties are unable to self-resolve the dispute.

The RTA encourages tenants and property owners to work together to find solutions during the pandemic. You can read our top tips for effective conversations and resolving tenancy issues here.

To help prioritise COVID-19 dispute resolution requests, the RTA has released a new COVID-19 Dispute Resolution Web Service and COVID-19 Dispute resolution request paper form.

Customers who have a COVID-19 tenancy dispute, and meet the eligibility criteria, can have their dispute prioritised by applying for RTA conciliation using this new process.

Customers will be required to check their eligibility for priority COVID-19 dispute resolution by using an eligibility checklist.

Tenants and property owners not significantly affected by COVID-19 should continue to honour their existing obligations and rental agreements.

Visit the Queensland Government’s Rental Hub at covid19.qld.gov.au/the-hub to learn more.