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By Cass Hayward (First published on the 13th of April 2026, in the April Issue)
We have reached the middle of semester one. Many of you will be looking at moving out for the first time this year or over the next few years, and many of you will have already moved out and are knee deep in the rental trenches. Property managers across the city will currently be subjecting you to your first home inspections. And the growing pains of learning to live with other people that aren’t your family could be well and truly be hitting. To help you navigate this experience I have collected some tips, from one renter to another, that might help you feel a bit more informed and a bit less anxious about navigating a new sphere.
- Inspect Before You Move In:
If you can, always inspect a property before applying or moving in. There’s a lot you can tell about how your rental experience will go from how the property is maintained and presented at an inspection. In the current rental crisis, it can be hard to inspect prior to applying. It feels like you have to blind apply to even be considered. But it’s important to inspect a property before you sign any legally binding contracts. If you see broken appliances, pests, or any other issues, ask the property manager about those things before you have any contracts drawn up.
If you have moved into a property that has preexisting damage, lodge everything that needs to be repaired with your property manager. Property managers are notoriously unorganised when it comes to scheduling repairs so don’t be afraid to contact them multiple times in order to receive a response. If the damage is making the property unsafe and your landlords are not responding, contact the RTA.
- Get Everything In Writing:
Get anything relating to the lease, condition report, routine maintenance, and inspections in writing. This is important because it creates a legally binding record of rights and responsibilities which provides security for yourself and your landlord. Should a dispute arise, this paper trail could save you. While verbal contracts are legal in Queensland, they are much harder to prove and enforce. It’s better for everyone to have clear written communication that protects everyone involved.
- Be Detailed On Your Entry And Exit Reports – Take Photos Of Everything!
Your property manager should provide entry and exit reports (if they aren’t doing that then that is your first problem to fix!). It is your responsibility to check every detail on their list and also add any scuffs, marks, or damage that they might have missed. Take pictures of every mark as well for further proof. Landlords have been known to wrongfully claim bond for pre-existing damage to the property or for normal wear and tear on the property. Having a solid entry and exit report is incredibly important in documenting damage caused by previous tenants and any damage you may have caused. It’s also a good idea to keep a note of any damage you know you have caused so you have a list of things you need to fix before vacating the property!
- Familiarise Yourself With Your Rights:
Your rights as a renter can be confusing and daunting to educate yourself on, however, it’s important to be informed so that you aren’t being taken advantage of.
Some of your basic rental rights include:
- Quiet enjoyment of your home
- Privacy
- Fair treatment without discrimination
While I am not naïve enough to know it doesn’t happen, it is against the law for landlords and property managers to refuse to rent to you or treat you differently due to your age, disability, or background. So, if you suspect this is occurring and you are safe enough to do so, speak up!
Your home must also have:
- Working locks
- Safe electrical wiring and appliances
- No vermin, damp, or mold
- Working plumbing, drainage, bathrooms, and toilets
- Curtains or blinds in rooms where it is normally expected i.e. bedrooms.
Rental rights are complicated and I am not a lawyer. There are far more than mentioned here. For more detailed information, the Rental Tenancies Authority (RTA) and Tenants Queensland are two great resources for understanding your rights as a renter. The RTA provides tenancy information, bond management, dispute resolution, compliance and enforcement, and education services. Tenants Queensland (formerly Tenants’ Union of Queensland) provide tenant information and advocacy services. They also have a specialist legal service that you can access if you need help navigating a rental dispute.
- Claim Your Bond Immediately Upon Exiting The Property
Once you have completed your final clean and your extremely detailed exit report, have your bond claim forms ready to submit online. As soon as you hand your keys back, submit that form to avoid any delays in getting your money back.
Your landlord and property manager may attempt to claim some, or all, of your bond if they suffer a loss (this could be due to failure to pay rent, a cleaning fee, damage repairs). It is important to leave the property clean and in a similar condition to the start of the tenancy and keep all evidence of the condition when exiting. Fair wear and tear are not included in damage to the property and if your bond is unreasonably claimed don’t be afraid to seek help through the RTA and Tenants Queensland in disputing the claims.
- Try To Enjoy It
This tip is going to sound cheesy as hell, but this advice is coming from someone who has rented for many years; try to enjoy it as much as you can! There are countless growing pains when it comes to renting for the first time. For many people it will be their first experience living with people who aren’t their family. It’s common for there to be some tension and maybe even animosity between new housemates as they learn to live together. When this happens, make the best of a bad situation. We don’t know what the future holds with the current rental and cost of living crisis. There is no guarantee that our generation will easily become homeowners. So, let go of the reins a little and be tolerant of other people’s quirks. Not every bad habit of a housemate is a purposeful slight against you. You’re both just people who have grown up living in different ways. Communicate as much as you can (to a reasonable extent) and at the end of the day, don’t lose sleep over it. If you don’t work out as housemates, you can always move in the future and spin the good housemate lottery wheel again!
Quick-fire Bonus Tips:
- Patching small holes in a wall is cheap and easy. You can get all of the materials for about $50 from bunnings. Some spackle, sandpaper, and a paint match will get you far.
- If some of your bond is being claimed for a legitimate reason and you can afford to pay for the cost of repair, offer to pay them in cash and get your bond back in full. This can be a way to keep the damage off of your rental record (your mileage may vary).
- Pest spray your rental regularly. Around every 6 months is a good time to do it. When pest spraying, make sure to hit drain covers since cockroaches like to spread via internal plumbing.
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