The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Regulation 2009 will expire (sunset) on 31 August 2025.
Following targeted consultation with peak bodies and representative groups, the Queensland Government has replaced the 2009 Regulation with the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Regulation 2025 (the Regulation), which will commence from 1 September 2025.
The new Regulation does not introduce any new obligations or major changes. Instead, it:
- clarifies existing requirements
- makes minor administrative updates
- simplifies forms and wording to make them easier to use.
RTA form updates from 1 September 2025
The RTA will be updating the following tenancy agreement forms, which apply from 1 September 2025:
- General tenancy agreement (Form 18a)
- Moveable dwelling tenancy agreement (Form 18b)
- Rooming accommodation agreement (Form R18).
Please ensure you use the latest versions – either by downloading from the RTA website or via your third-party digital form provider – when they are made available from 1 September 2025.
Remember: using incorrect forms may result in a breach of tenancy laws.
Key improvements to the forms include:
- reordered item and clause numbers to improve usability
- simplified wording to improve readability
- improved clarity of standard tenancy terms to better reflect existing regulatory requirements
- allowing notices to be served via electronic means (including text messages), if agreed to.
Transitional provisions
Provisions to support the sector’s move to the new Regulation include:
- Existing tenancy agreements entered into before 1 September 2025 remain valid. It will not be necessary to complete a new tenancy agreement if the existing tenancy is continuing.
- New or renewed tenancy agreements from 1 September 2025 must meet the requirements of the new Regulation.
Remember: it is important that you understand when the tenancy agreement was entered into (i.e. the date all parties have signed) to ensure that you use the terms relevant to that agreement when managing the tenancy.
Regulation changes from 1 September 2025
The new Regulation provides clarity about existing obligations and includes some minor updates such as:
- outlining how to calculate fees for sale of caravans
- renumbering of some sections
- clarifying house rule obligations about quiet enjoyment from 1 September 2026
- updated thresholds for goods left behind to reflect current values, replacing those set in 2009
- aligning water consumption timeframes for issuing and paying bills to four weeks.
For more information on these changes, visit rta.qld.gov.au.
Author: Residential Tenancies Authority