Minimum Housing Standards
Are you ready for the changes?
Minimum housing standards will come into effect for new tenancies from 1 September 2023, and for all tenancies from 1 September 2024.
Minimum housing standards aim to ensure all Queensland rental properties are safe, secure and functional and provide tenants, residents, property managers and owners more clarity around the maintenance obligations for rental properties.
1. Weatherproof and structurally sound
Premises must be weatherproof, structurally sound and in good repair.
Premises are not weatherproof if the roofing or windows of the premises do not prevent water entering the premises when it rains.
2. Fixtures and fittings
The fixtures and fittings, including electrical appliances, for premises—
(a) must be in good repair; and
(b) must not be likely to cause injury to a person through the ordinary use of the fixtures and fittings.
3. Locks on windows and doors
Premises let, or to be let, under a residential tenancy agreement must have a functioning lock or latch fitted to all external windows and doors to secure the premises against unauthorised entry.
Premises let, or to be let, under a rooming accommodation agreement must have a functioning lock or latch fitted to all windows and doors of a resident’s room to secure the room against unauthorised entry.
Subsection (1) or (2) apply only to the windows and doors that a person outside the premises or room could access without having to use a ladder.
4. Vermin, damp and mould
Premises must be free of vermin, damp and mould.
Subsection (1) does not apply to vermin, damp or mould caused by the tenant, including, for example, caused by a failure of the tenant to use an exhaust fan installed at the premises.
5. Privacy
Premises must have privacy coverings for windows in all rooms in which tenants or residents are reasonably likely to expect privacy, including, for example, bedrooms.
Privacy coverings for windows include any of the following—
(a) blinds;
(b) curtains;
(c) tinting;
(d) glass frosting.
Subsection (1) does not apply to a window of a room if a line of sight between a person outside the premises and a person inside the room is obstructed by a fence, hedge, tree or other feature of the property.
6. Plumbing and drainage
Premises must—
(a) have adequate plumbing and drainage for the number of persons occupying the premises; and
(b) be connected to a water supply service or other infrastructure that supplies hot and cold water suitable for drinking.
7. Bathrooms and toilets
The bathroom and toilet facilities at premises must provide the user with privacy.
Each toilet must—
(a) function as designed, including flushing and refilling; and
(b) be connected to a sewer, septic system or other waste disposal system.
8. Kitchen
A kitchen, if included, must include a functioning cook-top.
9. Laundry
A laundry, if included, must include the fixtures required to provide a functional laundry other than whitegoods.
Want to know more about the upcoming minimum housing standards for rental properties or have a general question regarding tenancies. The team at BlueChip Rentals are always here to help steer you on the right path by protecting your investment. Call us for more advise.