Private Lease Agreement QLD

Here’s what you need to do & how to protect yourself as a landlord in QLD before signing a private lease agreement:

Before approving a Tenant

1. Do a thorough check on the tenant (you can arrange this through us).
2. Phone/check all the tenant’s references – they will be asked to supply details of their current employer, current landlord, and personal references on our tenancy application.
3. Physically sight or take copies of proof of identification, proof of income, proof of address, and proof of rental history (e.g. lease agreement, written reference, or tenant ledger).

Once you’re ready to approve a Tenant

1. Meet with them to sign a a QLD private lease agreement, known as a General Tenancy Agreement form (download one here) or a Moveable Dwelling Agreement form, if more appropriate (download a copy here). 
2. Complete a property condition report within 7 days of the tenancy’s commencement. Keep a copy for yourself and supply two copies to the tenant. It helps to avoid future disagreements if you can complete this form with the tenant (download a Property Condition Report for QLD here). 
3. Request a bond of 4 weeks rent. When you receive it, always give the tenant a receipt, and have them sign a Bond Lodgement Form.  For more information about rental bonds in QLD, visit RTA QLD. 
4. You must lodge the bond within 10 days with the Residential Tenancies Authority by taking it to the RTA in person, posting it, or uploading it online here.  The tenant will receive an Acknowledgement of Rental Bond from the RTA once it’s been lodged. To cover damages or if the tenant breaks the lease/stops paying rent, you can apply for release of rental bond monies to you.

During the Tenancy

1. Conduct routine property inspections up to once every 3 months, with 7 days written notice each time. Use this form to provide notice.
2. Make sure you document any occurrences (e.g. copies of any letters/receipts you send to tenant, photos of any damage etc.), just in case there’s ever a dispute in future,

Other recommendations

We strongly recommend you complete National Tenancy Database / TICA blacklist checks before approving any tenant (you can arrange this through PropertyNow). 

You should also consider checking the ACCR criminal court attendance database and/or order full police background checks through PropertyNow, if you wish.

Most importantly, we recommend taking out Landlords Insurance – this covers you for theft, malicious damage, or loss of rent if the tenant stops paying.  There are many different providers so make sure to shop around. Here’s two to get you started:

• Canstar
• RAC

We also strongly recommend reading the RTA’s Managing General Tenancies in Queensland booklet. Other forms you may need at some point are available here.