As of 1 May this year, major changes to Queensland’s rental application process have come into effect. These rental application changes bring new compliance rules that every landlord, property manager, and tenant needs to understand. Dealing with this new legislation can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, the process becomes much clearer.
At Home Scope, we keep ourselves updated with these latest changes so our clients don’t have to.
Why Have the Application Rules Changed?
The new regulations aim to make rental applications fairer, more transparent, and standardised across the state. With consistent guidelines in place, tenants can apply knowing what will be asked of them, while landlords are given clear rules to follow. The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) has provided best practice guidelines to help everyone in the sector confidently deal with the application process.
The New Application Forms
One of the most significant changes is the mandatory use of standardised application forms:
- Form 22 for general tenancies and moveable dwellings
- Form R22 for rooming accommodation
While landlords can still use their own forms, these must fully comply with the Act. Non-compliance is an offence that carries penalties of up to 20 penalty units. At Home Scope, we have already adopted the standardised forms to ensure complete compliance and peace of mind for our landlords and tenants.
Submission Methods: More Choice for Tenants
Under the new rules, property managers and owners must offer at least two ways for tenants to submit applications. Importantly, one of these must be non-restrictive. A non-restrictive option allows tenants to submit their application directly without being forced to use costly third-party platforms or pay unnecessary fees. Acceptable non-restrictive methods include email submissions directly to the property manager or hand-delivered applications.
At Home Scope, we have always offered flexible submission options to make the process simple and accessible for tenants while ensuring full compliance for our landlords.
What Information Can Be Requested?
Property managers can only collect information directly relevant to assessing a tenant’s suitability. This includes:
- Full name and contact details
- Previous rental history
- Current employment and income details
- Referees
- Proposed tenancy term
- Date of birth
- Number of occupants (including children)
- Vehicles and pets intended for the property
However, certain information is strictly prohibited. Landlords cannot request details such as prior breach notices, tribunal matters, bond claim history, or bank account transaction records. As the RTA states, “It is an offence and breach of the Act to request additional personal information from prospective tenants.”
Supporting Documents: What’s Allowed
Supporting documents must be limited and reasonable. Landlords may request:
- Up to two identity documents (e.g. passport, driver’s licence)
- Up to two documents showing financial capacity (e.g. payslips, basic bank statements showing balance only, Centrelink letters)
- Up to two references or suitability documents (e.g. previous rental references)
Tenants may voluntarily provide more, but landlords must not request excessive or irrelevant information.
How to Handle Personal Information Securely
Strict data storage and destruction rules are now in place:
- Unsuccessful applications: personal information must be securely destroyed within 3 months.
- Successful tenants: records must be securely kept for 7 years after tenancy ends.
This ensures sensitive information is handled with care and privacy obligations are met. Home Scope has established secure digital and physical record management systems to protect our clients and applicants.
What If There’s a Dispute?
The RTA does not mediate disputes during the application process but may investigate breaches of the Act. If prospective tenants believe an offence has occurred, they can submit an investigation request to the RTA.
Is Your Current Rental Application Process Really Compliant?
Landlords must prioritise understanding and adhering to new compliance obligations. Failure to do so can result in financial penalties and reputational damage. At Home Scope, we simplify the entire process, ensuring every application complies with the Queensland rental application changes while providing a fair, efficient experience for tenants.
Not sure if your current rental application process is compliant? Let Home Scope take care of the details so you can focus on protecting your investment.
Contact us so we can start discussing your investment property.