Increasing the rent
The rent can't normally be increased during a fixed long term agreement unless the tenancy agreement states that the rent can be increased. If the agreement allows for rent increases, the owner/manager must give the tenant at least one months notice in writing before increasing the rent.
The rent can be increased at the end of a fixed term agreement, or at any time during a periodic agreement. If the rent is being increased during a periodic agreement, the owner/manager must give the tenant at least two months notice in writing. The notice will be a letter saying how much the rent will increase, and the day when the tenant needs to start to pay the increased rent.
If the rent goes up, the owner/manager might also ask the tenant to pay more rental bond. Notice of bond increase can only be given if it is at least 11 months since the last bond increase. One months notice about the bond increase must be given. The extra bond must be lodged with the RTA.
If the tenant thinks that the rent increase during an agreement or between subsequent agreements is excessive, the tenant should talk to the owner/manager and try to come to an agreement. If the tenant is unable to negotiate an acceptable outcome with the owner/manager, they can dispute the increase by applying to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) to have the increase reviewed. If the rent is being increased between subsequent agreements, the tenant must have signed the new agreement before applying to QCAT for the review. The tenant should discuss the reasons for the increase with the owner/manager.
The tenant must apply to QCAT within 30 days after receiving the notice of the rent increase (for a fixed term agreement the tenant must also apply before the end of the term).