Your home is your biggest asset so it pays to heed good advice when it comes to property matters. Each week the Real Estate Institute of Queensland provides a consumer watch to keep you up to date with all the latest industry trends that could affect you.

Know your rights when renting

April 17 | the REIQ

Shifting into a new home is always a busy time. There’s moving and unpacking to be done, and if you’re renting, there’s the lease to sign, the bond to pay and the tenant entry condition report to complete.

There’s so much going on, it’s little wonder that some people are unsure about what their legal rights and responsibilities are while they rent a home in Queensland. However, help is available in the form of a tenant’s guide to the rules of renting.

Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) executive manager Elissa Keenan said the guide - affectionately called the Renting in Queensland Green Book – has to be provided to anyone renting a home in Queensland.

“When a tenant signs an agreement to rent a place to live in Queensland, the Green Book must be given to them by their landlord or property manager," she said. "The book outlines the tenant’s rights and responsibilities while renting houses, flats, units, townhouses and houseboats under the law."

The REIQ and the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) are working together to better explain tenants' rights and responsibilities when renting in Queensland.
RTA general manager Fergus Smith said when negotiating renting a property, prospective tenants should have a basic understanding of their rights and obligations.

“While every tenant must be given a (17a) booklet on Renting in Queensland at the beginning of the tenancy, it’s important to know the basics prior to signing the tenancy agreement,” he said.

“One of the big things to remember is that once a tenant signs the lease agreement, it then becomes a legally enforceable and binding contract.”

Mr Smith said tenants should never be afraid to ask questions, and if they are in doubt or are unsure on a point, they should ask the property manager for information or contact the RTA on 1300 366 311.

“Also always look for additional clauses in the contract and don’t act on impulse. We understand that there is strong competition for available properties, but do your homework first,” he said.

Further information on the rental process and tenancy law is freely available on the RTA website at www.rta.qld.gov.au To find out if your agency is accredited with the REIQ go to www.reiq.com.au