How often can rent go up in Queensland?

For most Queensland general tenancies, rent cannot increase less than 12 months after the last increase for the property. Changing tenants, agents or owners does not restart that clock. Exempt lessors and a QCAT hardship order are exceptions. (Act, s 93, checked 21 October 2026.)

This page covers private house and unit tenancies. Rooming accommodation and some government or community housing need different checks.

The clock belongs to the property

The relevant date is when rent last increased for the premises, including under a previous tenant's agreement. A new lease at a higher rent also counts as an increase. A six-month lease does not create a right to raise rent every six months. (RTA rent increases; Act, s 93, checked 21 October 2026.)

Keep three dates separate: when your agreement started, when you received the proposed increase, and when rent last went up. They can be months apart. Write them beside each other before responding, and keep the notice and agreement together.

Ask for evidence if the date is unclear

A tenant can request evidence of the last increase in writing. The owner or agent generally must provide it within 14 days after receiving the request, with other people's personal details removed. Examples include a previous agreement, increase notice or rent ledger. Exempt lessors are outside this requirement. A transitional exception also removes the 14-day duty for a lessor who purchased within 12 months after 6 June 2024 if neither the lessor nor their agent holds the last-increase information. Ask the RTA or QSTARS if that exception may apply. (Act, ss 93A and 579A, checked 21 October 2026.)

One possible request is: “Please provide evidence of the date rent was last increased for this property, with other people's personal information removed.” Save your sent message and their reply. An unanswered request is something to raise with the RTA; it is not a reason to guess a new payment amount yourself.

A fictional worked example

Worked example (fictional). Alex moves into a unit at A$600 a week in March. The previous tenant's rent increased to A$600 the preceding November. The agent offers Alex a new agreement in September at A$630. The September offer does not reset the property's November clock. Alex requests evidence of the last increase and checks the proposed start date with the RTA.

The proposed increase is A$30 a week, or A$1,560 over 52 weeks. That arithmetic helps Alex budget; it does not decide whether the timing is permitted or the amount is excessive.

Avoid treating the anniversary itself as a calculated deadline. The RTA's time-counting guidance explains how to count calendar months and the earliest effective date. Check the actual dates and service method against that guidance. (RTA serving notices, checked 21 October 2026.)

Twelve months is only one check

For an increase during an existing general tenancy, at least two months' written notice is also required. During a fixed term, the agreement must allow the increase and state its amount or calculation. A new agreement at a higher rent has no separate increase-notice requirement, but the 12-month rule still applies. (RTA rent increases; Act, s 91, checked 21 October 2026.)

Exempt lessors include certain income-based housing providers. QCAT can also permit an earlier increase for owner hardship under s 93B. A claim that costs have risen is not itself a tribunal order. Ask for clarification if an exception is being relied on. (Act, ss 82A, 93 and 93B, checked 21 October 2026.)

Get the dates checked, then compare your options

For information about the rule or a possible investigation, contact the RTA on 1300 366 311. QSTARS provides free independent tenancy advice on 1300 744 263. Both details checked 21 October 2026.

Use the free Renewal Check to compare the cost of staying, asking for less or moving. It is a cost worksheet, not a decision about whether your increase is valid.

RenterRescue provides general information about Queensland tenancy rules and a cost worksheet. It is not legal advice and does not consider your circumstances. Rules change; check the RTA and get free advice from QSTARS or Tenants Queensland before acting on a deadline.