Tenants Queensland
OrganisationReferenced in 3 bills
Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation (Rent Freeze) Amendment Bill 2022
This private member's bill proposed a two-year freeze on all residential rents in Queensland at August 2022 levels, with ongoing caps of 2% every two years thereafter. It responded to record rent increases (over 20% annually in Brisbane) and near-zero vacancy rates across the state. This bill was discharged and did not become law.
Land Tax and Other Legislation (Empty Homes Levy) Amendment Bill 2022
This bill proposed an Empty Homes Levy to tackle Queensland's housing crisis by taxing vacant residential properties and undeveloped land at 5% of their capital improved value each year. Modelled on Vancouver's empty homes tax, which reduced vacancies by 24%, it aimed to push an estimated 20,600 vacant homes back onto the rental market over four years. This was a private member's bill introduced by Dr Amy MacMahon MP (Member for South Brisbane). It was discharged and did not become law.
Body Corporate and Community Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
This bill reforms Queensland's body corporate laws to address ageing unit complexes, pet ownership, smoking, off-the-plan property purchases, and scheme governance. It creates a new process for terminating uneconomic community titles schemes with 75% owner approval, strengthens buyer protections against sunset clause misuse in off-the-plan contracts, and clarifies residents' rights to keep pets and be protected from second-hand smoke.