RTA media
Cleaning flood damaged rental properties
30 January 2013
Housing and Public Works Minister Tim Mander has urged tenants and landlords to work
together to arrange the cleaning and repair of rental properties damaged during this week’s
floods.
“We know that a lot of people are going to be wondering where they stand and who is
responsible for what when it comes to the clean-up process,” Mr Mander said.
“At times like this it’s particularly important that tenants and landlords communicate, either
directly or through a property manager, about the clean-up and any repairs that are needed.”
Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) General Manager Fergus Smith said landlords were
responsible for cleaning up the building itself, including fences, gardens and pools, while
tenants were responsible for cleaning or removing their own possessions.
“Landlords need to ensure a property is fit to live in,” Mr Smith said.
“That means taking care of the repairs and maintenance needed to bring the property back to a
liveable condition. They also need to comply with health and safety laws,” he said.
Where a property is partially damaged and the tenant continues to live there, the landlord will
need to arrange entry to the premises for repairs.
Entry can be at any time by mutual agreement, or by serving an Entry notice (Form 9).
If a property is partially damaged, the landlord and the tenant may negotiate an agreement to
reduce the rent until the premises are returned to the condition it was in before the disaster. Any
reduction in rent would depend on the severity and impact of the damage.
Any agreement should be put in writing and signed by both parties.
Mr Smith said a tenancy agreement could be ended early where the landlord and tenant agreed
the premises were unliveable.
“A tenant or landlord can give the other party a notice formally ending the agreement because
the property is unliveable, but this must be given within one month of the disaster occurring,” Mr
Smith said.
“In cases where an outcome can’t be reached, the RTA offers a free dispute resolution service.’’
Mr Mander said renters who had nowhere to stay while their rental property was being repaired
should contact their nearest Housing Service Centre to determine their eligibility for assistance.
http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/housing/contact-us/housing-service-centres
Media contacts
[email protected]
07 3046 5121
rta.qld.gov.au
Fast facts
Landlords
 should communicate with tenants about the state of the rental property
 are responsible for the repairs and maintenance to bring the property back to a liveable
condition
 must comply with health and safety laws
 need to communicate with tenants about entering the premises for repairs
Tenants
 should communicate with landlords//property managers about the state of the rental
property
 are responsible for removing or cleaning their possessions
Find out more at rta.qld.gov.au or call the RTA on 1300 366 311.
[ENDS] 30 January 2013
Media contact: Martin Kennedy (Minister Mander) 0407 643 998 or
[email protected] / 07 3046 5121 (RTA)
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