Info for Tenants

The Tenants’ Union of Queensland (TUQ) provides a range of information for tenants and residents on the Queensland Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008. Printed publications are also available by contacting  the TUQ office.

Resolving tenancy disputes online videos - this series of 5 videos explains the process tenants can follow to resolve tenancy disputes in Queensland.
Part 1 – Tips to solve your tenancy dispute gives an overview of the process, including talking to your lessor or agent, getting advice from a tenant advice service and applying to the RTA. It explains the role of the Queensland Civil Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) in hearing tenancy disputes in cases where parties cannot agree or the tenancy matter is defined in the Act as urgent.
Part 2 – RTA Dispute Resolution Service explains the role of the RTA in providing free telephone conciliation for tenancy matters, including non-urgent tenancy disputes.
Part 3 – QCAT and tenancy disputes describes the role of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) in hearing urgent and non-urgent tenancy disputes.
Part 4 – Applying to QCAT for a tenancy hearing explains how to apply for a QCAT hearing and explains the difference between urgent and non-urgent applications.
Part 5 – Going to QCAT for a tenancy hearing shows how QCAT hears tenancy disputes and gives you an idea of what to expect when you attend a hearing as an applicant or a respondent. This video was filmed at QCAT in Brisbane and while the QCAT hearing room in your local Magistrates court building may look  different the process should be similar.
For more information see Going to the tribunal to solve a tenancy dispute or visit the QCAT website at www.qcat.qld.gov.au

Tenancy Facts - a series of 10 fact sheets that cover key topics including; starting a tenancy, rent, bonds, repairs, entry and privacy, you want to leave, your lessor ends the tenancy, resolving disputes, tenancy databases and renting in Queensland. Tenancy Facts cover both general tenancies and rooming accommodation tenancies and provide detailed information about common tenancy issues.

Rooming Accommodation Fact Sheets - a series of 7 fact sheets for rooming residents that cover rules for renting rooming accommodation in Queensland including: Do you rent a room?, Moving in, While you are a resident, Entry to your room, Rent, Moving out, Getting your belongings back.

Indigenous Fact Sheets - a series of 9 tenancy fact sheets in plain English and Creole covering common tenancy topics. Printed versions feature artwork by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

Social Housing Fact Sheets - information for tenants who rent in public or community managed housing (social housing). Information includes the TUQ bi-monthly Communique newsletter, updates on TUQ activities representing social housing tenant issues, and a fact sheet on “Appeals Reviews and Complaints” .

See the Info for tenants affected by floods and cyclones fact sheet for information on tenancy issues related to floods, cyclones and natural disasters.

QCAT - see online information about Going to the Tribunal to Resolve a Tenancy Dispute and the Tenancy Fact sheet on Resolving Tenancy Disputes.

Useful links to diverse websites with information about rooming accommodation, student accommodation and share accommodation

Need advice? see the online listing of advice services including the Tenants’ Union statewide advice service and local Tenant Advice and Advocacy Services (TAAS).