Rental Applications in Queensland: Protecting both Landlords and Tenants

Finding the right tenant and securing the right rental home as an tenant has always been an important part of the rental process,but with Queensland’s new rental laws now in effect, the application process has changed significantly for both tenants and property managers.

For the last 12 months, Queensland newly introduced major reforms to rental applications aimed at creating a fairer, more transparent and privacy-focused system for everyone involved.

At Distinction Realty, we believe good communication and compliant processes help create better outcomes for both landlords and tenants.

What changed under the QLD Rental Laws?

Queensland now requires all property managers and owners to use a standardised rental application form known as the RTA Form 22.

The changes were introduced to:

improve fairness during the application process
better protect tenant privacy
create consistency across the industry
reduce excessive information requests from applicants

Property managers must now:

use compliant application forms only
provide at least two ways to submit an application
ensure one method is not restrictive (for example, forcing applicants to only use a third-party platform)

The RTA has also warned agencies that using non-compliant application forms may result in penalties.

Why rental applications are so important for Landlords

For landlords, a rental application is much more than paperwork, it is one of the most important risk-management tools available.

A thorough and compliant application process helps assess:

identity verification
rental history
affordability
suitability for the property
references and stability

In Queensland’s current rental market, properties often receive significant enquiry and multiple applications. A structured application process helps ensure decisions are made fairly, consistently and lawfully.

It also helps landlords:

minimise rental arrears risk
reduce potential tenancy disputes
protect the property investment
meet insurance and compliance expectations

Why the changes matter for Tenants

The new laws are designed to create a more balanced process for applicants.

Importantly, there are now limits on what information can be requested from prospective tenants. Property managers and owners must not request certain information including:

bank transaction statements
bond dispute history
breach notices
QCAT dispute history or legal action taken by the applicant

This is a significant privacy reform and aims to reduce unnecessary barriers for renters.

The laws also strengthen obligations around:

secure storage of personal information
who can access application information
when information must be destroyed

For unsuccessful applicants, personal information generally must be securely destroyed within three months after the successful tenancy begins.

A fair process benefit everyone

Good property management is about balance.

Landlords deserve confidence that their investment is protected with quality tenant screening and compliant processes.

Tenants deserve a fair opportunity to apply for a home without unnecessary invasion of privacy or inconsistent requirements.

The updated Queensland legislation encourages a more transparent process while still allowing property managers to properly assess applications using lawful and relevant information.

What Tenants can do to assist with the processing of their application

Even with the new limits on requested information, tenants can still help strengthen their application & make sure it is all filled in & ready to go by:

completing applications thoroughly
providing clear identification (or sighted by Property Manager if preferred option)
including current references
demonstrating stable income
responding promptly to communication

Well-prepared applications help property managers process approvals faster and present stronger recommendations to landlords.

What Landlords should expect from their Property Manager

Landlords should ensure their property manager:

is using compliant RTA application forms
understands the updated legislation
protects applicant privacy
maintains fair and consistent screening procedures
communicates clearly with all parties

Ultimately, compliance is now more important than ever under Queensland tenancy law reforms.

Final Thoughts

The rental market continues to evolve, and the 2025 Queensland rental law changes are some of the biggest updates to rental applications in recent years.

While the process may look slightly different moving forward, the goal remains the same:

helping good tenants secure suitable homes
helping landlords find reliable tenants
ensuring the process is fair, compliant and professional for everyone involved

For more information about Queensland rental law changes, visit the official Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) website.