Do real estate agents need to comply with Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (QLD)?
A computed answer from the Rules Mate applicability engine, with the exact condition, the outcome for every structure and size, and the primary source.
Short answer: Only if
Only if you manage residential rental properties. Being in this industry makes the obligation worth checking (Industry: Real estate agents), but the trigger is a fact the industry alone does not settle.
The obligation in brief
Comply with Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (QLD). The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (Qld) governs general tenancies, moveable dwellings and rooming accommodation. The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) holds rental bonds, provides free dispute resolution (conciliation) and investigates offences; unresolved disputes go to QCAT.
Trigger: Advertising a rental, entering a residential tenancy or rooming accommodation agreement in Queensland, taking or increasing a bond, or ending a tenancy.
Why real estate agents get a different answer
Rules Mate runs its applicability engine across 9 business structures and 6 size bands for each of the 35 industries it maps. For 34 of those industries the answer for "Comply with Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (QLD)" is no. Real estate agents is one of the 1 where the answer is different: only if.
The deciding fact for real estate agents: Industry: Real estate agents; applies only if you manage residential rental properties.
About the industry: Selling agents, buyer's agents, and property developers involved in real estate transactions. From 1 July 2026 captured by AML/CTF Tranche 2 reforms.
Compare a professional services (general) business with 6–19 employees structured as a Pty Ltd company: the obligation does not apply (Requires a trigger outside this questionnaire).
Answer by business structure and size
Each cell is the engine's outcome for a business in real estate agents with that structure and size, assuming it sells to consumers and small businesses and holds customer contact details. "Check" means the obligation turns on a fact the industry does not settle.
| Structure | No employees | 1–5 employees | 6–19 employees | 20–99 employees | 100–499 employees | 500+ employees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole trader | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check |
| Partnership | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check |
| Trust | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check |
| Pty Ltd company | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check |
| Public company | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check |
| Not-for-profit (unregistered) | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check |
| Registered charity | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check |
| Super fund | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check |
| Foreign company | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check |
What the obligation requires
- When due
- Bond (and any bond increase or instalment) lodged with the RTA within 10 days of receipt; entry condition report given at the start of the tenancy, returned by the tenant within 7 days, and a copy sent back within 14 days; bond increases no more than once every 11 months with at least one month's written notice; Notice to leave (Form 12 or R12) given with the notice period required for the approved ground.
- Evidence to keep
- Bond receipts and RTA Acknowledgement of rental bond (including the date of the last rent increase, which the lodgement form requires); Entry condition report (Form 1a, 1b or R1) with photos; written tenancy agreement and any bond instalment terms; Notices to leave with supporting information for the ground relied on; records showing minimum housing standards are met.
- Maximum penalty
- The RTA lists as offences: failing to give a receipt or lodge a bond within 10 days, taking more than the maximum bond, failing to give an entry condition report, and knowingly giving the RTA false or misleading documents. The RTA investigates and takes enforcement action; QCAT decides disputes. Offence penalty amounts were not verified for this entry; check the Act on legislation.qld.gov.au
- Regulator
- See source
- Jurisdiction
- QLD only
Other obligations where real estate agents differ from the norm
- Comply with Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (VIC): Only if
- Comply with Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW): Only if
- Comply with Australian sanctions law + screening (DFAT): Yes
- Customer due diligence (KYC) on every customer: Yes
- Designate an AML/CTF Compliance Officer: Yes
- Detect + enhance due diligence on Domestic + Foreign PEPs: Yes
- All 26 answers for real estate agents
Questions
- Do real estate agents need to comply with Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (QLD)?
- Only if you manage residential rental properties. Being in this industry makes the obligation worth checking (Industry: Real estate agents), but the trigger is a fact the industry alone does not settle.
- Is the answer the same for every industry?
- No. For 34 of the 35 industries Rules Mate maps, the answer is no. Real estate agents is one of 1 industries with a different answer.
Related
Sources
Computed by the Rules Mate applicability engine from the published obligation corpus; facts last checked 3 October 2026. Rules Mate is not a law firm and this is general information, not legal advice. Confirm your position with the regulator source or a qualified adviser before acting.