The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) is standing by for an expected increase in enquiries from the rental sector once residents in north Queensland have returned to their homes following recent heavy rainfall and widespread flooding.

The RTA phone lines are open Monday to Friday (8:30am to 5:00pm) on 1300 366 311. Customers can also make an online enquiry via the RTA website.

RTA Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Smith encouraged tenants and property managers/owners to talk to each other as soon as practicable.

‘The coming weeks will be a difficult time for the rental sector in north Queensland as tenants and property managers/owners assess and discuss the condition of rental properties and any repairs or cleaning that needs to be done,’ Ms Smith said.

‘It’s important to keep channels of communication open during a stressful situation affecting the region’s rental sector. All parties are encouraged to be understanding and patient while there is still high demand on support services and challenges in ensuring everyone’s safety and wellbeing.’

The RTA has a suite of resources available to help both tenants and property managers/owners when a weather event affects a tenancy agreement. These include:

• guides for tenants and for property managers/owners that walk through each step of the process if a rental property has been damaged or destroyed by flooding
• a natural disasters fact sheet and webpage answering common questions about repairs, payment of rent and rent reductions after flooding
• webpages explaining when a property becomes unliveable, how to deal with mould and yard and garden maintenance, including who is responsible for fallen trees and branches
• podcasts episodes on storms, cyclones and flooding and what to do when a property becomes unliveable.

This weather event may cause disruptions to postal, electrical and internet services in the area. These disruptions can cause delays for the RTA in processing posted notices of claim for bond refunds and notices of unresolved dispute, as well as bond refunds and lodgements.

Customers who are unable to submit a form to the RTA due to service disruptions are encouraged to contact the RTA. The RTA is monitoring bond refunds and tenancy disputes in the affected areas and will contact parties directly if an extension of a notice period applies.    

The RTA provides a free and impartial dispute resolution service which can help people work through their rental issues if agreement cannot be reached.

For more information, including resources in other languages or to access the RTA’s free interpreter service, explore the RTA website or contact the RTA.