5 Mistakes QLD Landlords Make When Increasing Rent
Increasing rent is one of the most straightforward things a landlord does — in theory. In practice, we see the same mistakes over and over. Here are the five most common ones, and how to avoid them.
1. Not Giving Enough Notice
Under Section 91 of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008, you must give your tenant at least 61 days written notice before a rent increase takes effect. Not 30 days. Not "a couple of months". Exactly 61 days minimum.
If you post the notice, add extra time for delivery (the RTA recommends 7 business days for posted notices). A notice that arrives late is invalid, and you'll need to start the process again.
Fix: Count 61 days forward from the date the tenant receives the notice, not the date you send it. Use our Rent Check tool to generate a compliant notice with the correct effective date calculated for you.
2. Increasing Rent Too Frequently
Rent can only be increased once in any 12-month period. This applies to the premises, not the tenancy — so if your previous tenant's rent was increased 8 months ago and a new tenant moves in, you still can't increase rent for another 4 months.
The penalty for increasing rent within 12 months is up to 50 penalty units (over $7,000). It's not worth the risk.
Fix: Always check the date of the last rent increase before issuing a new notice. If you're not sure, the tenant can request written proof, and you must provide it within 14 days.
3. Setting Rent Based on Gut Feel
"I reckon it should be $50 more" is not a pricing strategy. If your tenant disputes the increase at QCAT (Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal), the tribunal will compare your rent to similar properties in the area. If your increase isn't supported by market data, it may be reduced.
Fix: Research before you decide. Check what comparable properties in your suburb are renting for. The easiest way is to use our free Rent Check tool — we pull real bond data from the RTA and market listings from SQM Research for your specific suburb, property type, and bedroom count.
4. Not Putting It in Writing
A verbal rent increase is not valid under QLD law. The notice must be in writing, state the new rent amount, and state the date the increase takes effect.
Some landlords text or call their tenant to "discuss" a rent increase and assume that counts. It doesn't. You need a formal written notice.
Fix: Use a proper written notice that includes all required information. Our tool generates one for you automatically — compliant with QLD legislation and ready to send.
5. Ignoring the Tenant's Right to Dispute
Your tenant has 30 days from receiving the notice to apply to QCAT if they believe the increase is excessive. If you've done your research and the increase is in line with market rent, you have nothing to worry about. But if you've set the rent significantly above market, the tribunal may reduce it.
Fix: A fair, data-backed increase is almost never disputed. When you can show your tenant that the new rent is based on real market data (not a guess), most tenants accept it without issue.
The Bottom Line
Every one of these mistakes is avoidable. Do your research, give proper notice, put it in writing, and keep it fair. If you want to skip the guesswork entirely, try Rent Check — it handles the research, generates the notice, and ensures compliance with QLD law. Free for early landlords.