Residential Tenancies Authority (Queensland)

The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) is a statutory body of the Queensland Government and the single point of contact for residential tenancy administration in Queensland. It administers the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (Queensland) and the 2024 rental law changes — including the once-per-12-months rent increase cap tied to the property (not the tenancy), the prescribed reasons for ending a tenancy without grounds, minimum housing standards, and the regulated rental application form.

Unlike most other Australian states, the RTA holds rental bonds directly in a state-run trust account. Lessors lodge and tenants reclaim bond through the RTA’s online services. Where parties cannot resolve a dispute themselves, the RTA offers a free conciliation service — a step required for many disputes before they can proceed to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) for binding orders on bond release, rent, repairs, termination, and compensation.

Records a Queensland lessor or property manager should keep aligned to RTA published guidance: General Tenancy Agreement (Form 18a) or the rooming accommodation equivalent, bond lodgement (Form 2) and refund (Form 4) records, entry condition report (Form 1a), notices of rent increase using the prescribed form (Form 11), Entry Notice (Form 9) issued with required notice, repair request records, and any conciliation outcomes or QCAT orders.