Rent Increases QLD: A Landlord's Guide

This article is general information, not legal advice. The rules below come from the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA), Queensland's tenancy regulator, and you should always confirm current requirements on their website before acting.

Get a rent increase wrong in Queensland and you could end up with a tenant disputing it, or the increase being unenforceable altogether. Here's what landlords actually need to know.

How often can you increase rent in QLD?

Rent on a property can be increased no more than once every 12 months. This is the bit many landlords miss: since 2025, the 12-month limit attaches to the property itself, not the tenancy. So if a tenant moves out and a new tenant moves in, the clock doesn't reset. If you raised the rent eight months ago under the previous tenant, you can't raise it again for the new tenant until a full 12 months has passed.

This catches out landlords who self-manage and are used to treating each new lease as a clean slate. Keep a record of your last rent increase date against the property address, not just against a particular tenancy, so you don't accidentally breach the rule.

Notice period for a rent increase

You must give at least 2 months written notice before a rent increase takes effect. The notice needs to be in writing and reach the tenant with enough lead time that the increase doesn't start until that 2-month window has passed. A verbal heads-up, a text message, or a mention during an inspection doesn't count.

• Put the new rent amount and the date it takes effect in writing.
• Send it (or deliver it) in a way you can prove, such as email with a read receipt, registered post, or a notice through your tenancy platform.
• Count the 2 months from the date the tenant receives the notice, not the date you send it.

Rent increases during a fixed-term agreement

If your tenant is on a fixed-term lease, you can't just increase the rent whenever it suits you. The rent can only go up during a fixed term if the agreement specifically provides for it, for example with a clause setting out a scheduled increase or the mechanism for one. Without that clause, you'll generally need to wait until the fixed term ends (or the agreement rolls to periodic) before applying an increase, and the 12-month and notice rules above still apply.

It's worth thinking about at the lease-signing stage. If you expect to need a mid-term increase, say on a long fixed term of two or three years, build the clause in from the start rather than trying to add it later.

What if a tenant thinks the increase is excessive?

Tenants aren't powerless if they believe a rent increase is unreasonable. They can go through the RTA's dispute resolution service first, and if that doesn't resolve things, they can apply to QCAT (the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal), generally within 30 days. If a tenant disputes an increase, clean documentation matters: proof of the notice date, the previous rent amount, the date of the last increase, and, where relevant, the clause in the fixed-term agreement that allowed it.

That's the real argument for doing rent increases properly the first time. A dispute that ends up at QCAT because of a missed notice period or a breach of the 12-month rule is avoidable admin, not a genuine disagreement about whether the rent is fair.

Practical steps for landlords

• Track the date of the last rent increase against each property, not each tenancy.
• Set a calendar reminder for the earliest date you're allowed to increase rent again.
• Draft the written notice early enough to clear the 2-month minimum comfortably.
• Check your fixed-term agreement wording before attempting a mid-term increase.
• Keep copies of every notice you send, along with proof of delivery.

FAQ

Does changing tenants reset the 12-month rule?

No. Since 2025, the 12-month limit is tied to the property, so a new tenant moving in doesn't give you a fresh 12-month window if the previous increase happened less than 12 months ago.

Can I increase rent partway through a fixed-term lease?

Only if the agreement itself allows for it. Without a clause providing for an increase, you'll generally need to wait until the fixed term ends.

What counts as valid notice?

It needs to be in writing, specify the new rent and effective date, and be given at least 2 months before the increase takes effect.

What can a tenant do if they think the increase is too high?

They can use the RTA's dispute resolution service, and if that doesn't resolve it, apply to QCAT, generally within 30 days of the dispute.

Keeping track of increase dates, notice periods and lease terms across multiple properties is where a lot of landlords trip up. EZRENT helps by keeping your lease details, rent history and notice records organised in one place, so when it's time for a rent review you know exactly where you stand. Have a look at what EZRENT does for self-managing landlords, or sign up to get your properties set up properly from the start.

This article is general information only and is not financial, legal or professional advice. Rules, thresholds and requirements vary by state or territory and change over time - always check the current rules with your local tenancy authority or a qualified professional before acting on anything above.