Rental reforms will make it harder to refuse pets in Queensland

Rental law reforms set to arrive in October won’t all be one-way traffic for landlords, especially when it comes to this rule.

New reforms due to become law in October will make owning a pet in Queensland rentals more acceptable.

Rental laws have traditionally leaned in favour of landlords’ rights but the reforms are set to swing the balance.

The first of three phases came into effect in October last year.

It has given new rights to victims of domestic violence to end tenancies and get their bond back.

From October 1, new rules around pets and terminating tenancies will come into place.

Queensland landlords will no longer be able to advertise a property with a blanket pet ban. Picture: Tony Gough

A tenant will still have to seek consent for a pet, but the lessor can no longer advertise properties with a no-pet rule and must give reasonable explanation for refusing a pet.

This could include existing body corporate by-laws, inappropriate building size or security or the pet is “dangerous”, such as a venomous snake.

Landlords are required to respond to a tenant’s pet request within 14 days and no response would indicate approval.

There are new protections for the landlord that exclude any damage caused by the pet from general wear and tear.

This means that renters must return the premises back in the same condition it was at the start of their lease.

Property owners will have to provide reasonable grounds to refuse pets and end fixed-term agreements. Picture: Emily Barker

Also starting in October are new rules relating to a property owner’s ability to terminate a tenancy without reason or before the agreed date.

Reasonable grounds for a landlord to end a fixed-term agreement are to undertake significant repair or renovations for sale or preparation for sale of the rental property requiring vacant possession.

For tenants to end tenancies, they can argue the property is not in good repair or does not comply with minimum housing standards.

Landlords or renters experiencing issues are encouraged to discuss the matter first to try to reach an agreement.

If they are unable to reach an agreement they can contact the Residential Tenancies Authority for their free dispute resolution service.

The third phase of reforms relate to minimum housing standards and will arrive in September 2023 for all new tenancy agreements.

It will require a property to have working facilities, security and privacy features as well as clearly define repair and maintenance obligations.

Originally published as Rental reforms will make it harder to refuse pets in Queensland