Published by Northern Key Property Group | April 2026
If you’re a landlord managing your own rental property in Queensland, the last couple of years have probably been a bit of a wake-up call. The state government has rolled out some of the most significant changes to tenancy law we’ve seen in a generation. Honestly, a lot of self-managing landlords are only just now realising what they’ve missed.
This isn’t meant to scare you. It’s just a practical guide to what’s changed, what you’re legally required to do now, and why more landlords around Northside Brisbane, from Kallangur to North Lakes, are deciding to make the switch to professional property management.
What Changed and When
Queensland’s rental law reforms came in four waves between 2024 and 2026. Here’s a quick timeline to get you up to speed:
| Date | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| 1 September 2024 | Minimum housing standards introduced. Things like structural soundness, weatherproofing, adequate lighting, ventilation, and plumbing compliance are now mandatory. |
| 30 September 2024 | Rent increases limited to once every 12 months across all lease types. |
| 1 May 2025 | Major overhaul. New entry notice periods, rental application restrictions, pet approval changes, domestic violence protections, and updated RTA forms. |
| 2 March 2026 | Updated rental application form (Form 22), Centrepay payment option now mandatory if requested, and a new 28-day deadline for tenant fixture requests. |
If you’re self-managing and you haven’t updated your processes recently, you’re almost certainly non-compliant in at least one area, especially with those latest March 2026 changes.
The Big Changes Self-Managing Landlords Need to Know
1. Entry Notice Is Now 48 Hours, Not 24
Previously, you could give 24 hours’ notice before entering a property for inspections, repairs, or other permitted reasons. As of 1 May 2025, that jumped to 48 hours for most entry types.
If you’re turning up to inspect a property in Kallangur with just a day’s notice, you’re breaking the law. You need to provide written notice using the correct RTA form at least 48 hours in advance.
2. Rental Applications Are Stricter
The new laws strictly limit what information you can request from prospective tenants. You can’t ask for bank statements, rental bond history from previous tenancies, details about a tenant’s partner or family, or excessive identification documents anymore.
The approved rental application form is now standardised by the RTA. If you’re using your own application form or one you downloaded from the internet years ago, it’s probably non-compliant.
3. Rent Increases Are Once Per Year
Rent can only be increased once every 12 months, regardless of the lease type. This applies to periodic (month-to-month) and fixed-term agreements.
If you’ve been reviewing rent at the end of every 6-month lease, you can’t increase it until 12 months from the last increase. Getting the timing right on your rent reviews is absolutely critical now.
4. It’s Harder to Say No to Pets
Tenants can request to keep a pet, and you can only refuse on reasonable grounds (like the property being unsuitable or body corporate rules). A blanket “no pets” policy just doesn’t fly anymore.
You have to assess each pet request individually and respond in writing within 28 days. If you don’t respond, the request is automatically approved.
5. Your Property Must Meet Minimum Housing Standards
Since September 2024, all rental properties must meet minimum standards. This covers structural soundness, weatherproofing, adequate plumbing, drainage, hot water, functioning locks on all external doors and windows, adequate lighting and ventilation, electrical and gas safety compliance, and window coverings in bedrooms and living areas.
If your property doesn’t meet these standards, your tenant can issue a breach notice and you could face penalties. A lot of older properties on the northside really need attention in this area.
6. Domestic and Family Violence Protections
New provisions allow tenants experiencing domestic violence to end a tenancy quickly and without penalty. Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse to release a tenant from a lease under these circumstances.
7. RTA Forms Have Been Updated
Almost every standard tenancy form has been updated. If you’re using old versions of the General Tenancy Agreement (Form 18a), Entry Notice (Form 9), or Condition Report (Form 1a), they might not be compliant anymore.
8. Fixture Requests Need a Response in 28 Days
This is one of the most overlooked changes from early 2026. Tenants can submit a written request to install fixtures or make modifications to the property (things like shelving, picture hooks, or accessibility aids). As the landlord, you have 28 days to respond. If you ignore it, the request is automatically approved.
If you’re not checking your mail or email regularly, your tenant could be legally entitled to modify your property simply because you didn’t reply in time. Having a property manager ensures every request is logged, assessed, and responded to before the deadline hits.
9. The New Rental Application Form (Form 22)
The RTA updated the standardised rental application form (Form 22) on 27 March 2026. If you’re still using an old version or your own custom form, you’re in breach. The maximum penalty for using a non-compliant application form is 20 penalty units.
You’re also required to offer tenants at least two different ways to submit their application, and one of those methods can’t be restrictive (meaning it can’t require them to go through a third-party platform that collects their data).
The restrictions on what you can ask for have tightened up too. You can only request up to two documents in each category (identity, financial ability, suitability) and you definitely can’t request bank transaction history, bond history, or evidence of previous legal disputes.
10. You Must Offer Centrepay If Asked
Since 2 March 2026, if a tenant requests to pay rent via Centrepay, you have to offer it as a payment option. This applies to all tenancies, not just new ones. If you don’t know what Centrepay is or how to set it up, that’s just another compliance gap a property manager can handle for you.
The Real Cost of Getting It Wrong
Non-compliance isn’t just a technicality. Here’s what’s actually at stake:
| Risk | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Using a non-compliant rental application | QCAT dispute, potential fine |
| Entering without proper notice | Breach of tenant’s rights, QCAT order |
| Failing to meet minimum housing standards | Breach notice from tenant, repair orders, potential compensation claim |
| Incorrect rent increase timing | Increase may be void, tenant can dispute at QCAT |
| Not responding to a pet request within 28 days | Automatic approval (even if the property isn’t suitable) |
| Using outdated RTA forms | Agreements may be unenforceable |
| Not responding to a fixture request within 28 days | Automatic approval (tenant can proceed with modifications) |
| Using a non-compliant rental application form | Maximum penalty of 20 penalty units |
| Not offering Centrepay when requested | Non-compliance with tenancy legislation |
For a self-managing landlord, a single mistake can cost thousands in QCAT proceedings, lost rent, or emergency repairs. Unlike a property manager, you don’t have professional indemnity insurance to fall back on when things go wrong.
Why Self-Managing Is Getting Harder
Let’s be honest. Self-managing a rental used to be pretty straightforward. You’d collect the rent, fix what breaks, and find a new tenant when the old one leaves. But the regulatory environment has changed dramatically.
Today, managing a rental property in Queensland means staying across a constantly evolving set of rules, forms, and obligations. Miss one deadline, use the wrong form, or fail to respond to a tenant request in time, and you could be facing a QCAT hearing or a financial penalty.
This is exactly why more landlords around North Lakes, Kallangur, and the wider northside are choosing to hand the reins to a professional property manager. It’s not because they can’t do it themselves. It’s because the risk of getting it wrong has just become too high.
How a Property Manager Keeps You Compliant
A good property manager doesn’t just collect rent and arrange repairs. They act as your compliance safety net. Here’s what that actually looks like in practice:
All RTA forms are kept up to date and used correctly. Entry notices are issued with the correct timeframes. Rent reviews are timed perfectly to comply with the 12-month rule. Pet and fixture requests are logged, assessed, and responded to within the legal deadlines. Routine inspections are scheduled and documented properly. Minimum housing standards are checked and maintained. Centrepay is set up and offered when requested. And rental applications use the current Form 22 and comply with all information restrictions.
At Northern Key Property Group, compliance isn’t an afterthought. It’s built into everything we do. We use PropertyMe, one of Australia’s leading property management platforms, to track every deadline, every form, and every obligation so nothing slips through the cracks.
Ready to Hand Over the Headache?
If you’re a self-managing landlord on Brisbane’s northside and you’re feeling the weight of these changes, you’re definitely not alone. The new laws are designed to protect tenants, but they’ve also made the job of being a landlord significantly more complex.
We’re currently offering our launch deal for new clients. You get a 6.6% management fee (inc. GST), we waive the first letting fee, and we throw in free professional photography.
There are no lock-in contracts and no hidden fees. Just honest, local property management from someone who actually picks up the phone.
Contact Matt Handley
Northern Key Property Group
M: 0411 669 446
E: matthewh@northernkeypropertygroup.com
W: northernkeypropertygroup.com.au