Over the past 24 months, every state and territory in Australia has introduced some form of legislative change affecting rental laws—many with significant implications for landlords and tenants.

One of the most recent updates is Queensland’s new standardised tenancy application form, which becomes mandatory for all general tenancies from 1 May 2025. This reform, introduced under the former state government and now carried forward by the LNP, has raised serious concerns from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ). In particular, the level of personal detail required for identity verification (VOI) may increase risks for landlords and property managers while making it harder for tenants to secure a property.

More broadly, across the country, we’ve seen over the last few years:

• A nationwide crackdown on rent bidding: This practice involved pressing applicants to offer above the advertised rent. This practice is now forbidden in most Australian jurisdictions.
• Limits on rent increases: Most states and territories prohibit rent increases to once every 12 months.
• Changes around pets: It’s generally more challenging for landlords to refuse a pet without a valid reason, and there are stricter timeframes in which they must respond to a tenant’s request.
• Extended notice periods and prescribed grounds for ending tenancies: Now landlords must provide a valid reason, such as selling the property, moving in a family member, or tenant misconduct. In New South Wales, landlords can no longer end a tenancy simply because the lease is up.
• Minimum housing standards and tenant rights to request modifications: Many states now allow tenants to request fixtures or structural changes, such as accessibility improvements, provided the request is reasonable.

To help our landlords stay informed and compliant, Raine & Horne is rolling out a suite of resources explaining how these changes affect property owners.

The guide for Queensland is already available, with New South Wales to follow shortly. Additional resources for other states and territories are scheduled throughout 2025.

Talk to your Raine & Horne property manager for more information on changes to rental laws in your state or territory.