Minimum housing standards are now in effect for new tenancies

1 Sep 2023
Image
HLA-MHS-800x418-LinkedIn

Minimum housing standards and updated RTA resources and forms

Minimum housing standards came into effect for new tenancies from 1 September 2023. This means if a tenancy agreement is signed or renewed from this date, the property must meet minimum housing standards.  

Minimum housing standards will come into effect for all remaining tenancies on 1 September 2024. The new standards apply to all types of tenancies, including general tenancies, moveable dwellings, and rooming accommodation agreements.  

Resources

To support customers with these changes, the RTA has created a list of FAQs and a range of resources, including:  

We have also published a new minimum housing standards webpage.  

Form updates

To reflect the changes around minimum housing standards, we have updated the following forms. Please ensure you download and use these latest versions. 

Form Updates

Entry condition report – general tenancies (Form 1a) 
  • Added line to inform customers that the property must meet minimum housing standards 

Entry condition report – moveable dwellings (Form 1b) 
  • Added line to inform customers that, if the property manager/owner was renting the moveable dwelling to the tenant, it must meet minimum housing standards 

Condition report (Form R1)  
(Rooming accommodation) 
  • Added line to inform customers that the room and premises must meet minimum housing standards  

Pocket guide for tenants – houses and units (Form 17a) 
  • Updated to include a section about minimum housing standards   

Pocket guide for tenants – caravan parks (Form 17b) 
  • Updated to include a section about minimum housing standards   

Pocket guide for tenants – houses and units (Form 17a), translated versions  
 
Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Punjabi, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Spanish and Vietnamese. 
  • Updated to include a section about minimum housing standards   
  • Updated to reflect the recent rent increase frequency changes 

Managing general tenancies in Queensland
  • Updated to include information about minimum housing standards 
  • Updated to reflect the recent rent increase frequency changes  

Managing rooming accommodation in Queensland
  • Made substantial updates to ensure guides continue to meet our customers' needs 
  • Added information about student accommodation  
  • Added information about RTA Web Services  
  • Added information about the Housing Legislation Amendment Act 2021 (to reflect recent rental law changes around domestic and family violence, pets, repairs, ending a tenancy and minimum housing standards)
  • Updated to reflect the recent rent increase frequency changes 
  • Added more links to our website.  

Managing caravan park tenancies in Queensland
  • Made substantial updates to ensure guides continue to meet our customers' needs 
  • Added information about RTA Web Services  
  • Added information about the Housing Legislation Amendment Act 2021 (to reflect recent rental law changes around domestic and family violence, pets, repairs, ending a tenancy and minimum housing standards)
  • Updated to reflect the recent rent increase frequency changes 
  • Added more information specific to caravan parks
  • Added more links to our website.  
Original publication on 01 Sep 2023
Last updated on 02 Sep 2023

Note: While the RTA makes every reasonable effort to ensure that information on this website is accurate at the time of publication, changes in circumstances after publication may impact on the accuracy of material. This disclaimer is in addition to and does not limit the application of the Residential Tenancies Authority website disclaimer.