Handling rental increases

BY KRISTYN LENNON

WITH rising interest rates and the cost-of-living squeeze, we are hearing concerns from Queenslanders about the impact of rental increases on household budgets.

In Queensland, there are rules around when and how rent increases can occur, depending on what type of lease arrangement is in place.

Any rent increase –no matter what the rental agreement – cannot be excessive, but there are no laws that specify an amount or percentage rent increase that would be classified as excessive.

If there is a fixed-term rental agreement, rent cannot be increased during that term unless it is specified in the tenancy agreement.

Landlords must give tenants at least two months’ notice in writing, and it needs to have been at least six months since the tenancy started or since the last increase.

If there is a periodic agreement, rent can be increased if the landlord gives the tenant at least two months’ notice in writing, and it has been at least six months since the last rent increase or since the tenancy started.

It is common for rent to go up when a fixed-term lease ends and a new one is offered. In this scenario, a landlord doesn’t need to give notice of the increase, but it must be at least six months since the last rent