Applying for a rental property

Before applying for a rental property you should always inspect the property to make sure it is clean, in good condition and meets your housing needs.

There are several ways to inspect a property, including:

• your landlord (known as the lessor)/agent taking you there
• your landlord/agent giving you the keys
• making an appointment to view it.

Make a good impression

When you are applying for a property to rent, you may be competing with many other people also interested in the same place.

Landlords and agents will decide whether your application will be approved. To give yourself the best chance of success it’s important to make a good impression with the landlord/agent.

How to make a good impression:

• dress neatly—as if you are going for a job interview
• be on time or early for appointments and inspections
• go alone or take only your partner/co-tenants to appointments and inspections and give the landlord/agent your full attention
• respect the property that you are visiting
• introduce yourself and answer questions politely
• have a list of any questions you want to ask about the property
• make sure to provide all the required documents with your applications so that the landlord/agent doesn’t have to contact you for more information.

When applying for a rental property, the landlord/agent will check your references and whether you are listed on a tenancy database. If you know that you are listed on a tenancy database tell the landlord/agent why.

Completing applications

Once you find a rental property you like complete an application.

List contact information for people you know who have agreed to be your referee. Signing a privacy consent form gives your landlord/agent permission to contact these listed referees. Before you submit an application, speak to your referees to tell them they may be contacted by your landlord/agent.

Application fees

The only money that can be taken from a prospective tenant is for a holding deposit, key deposits, a rental bond or rent. Landlords/agents cannot ask a prospective tenant to pay any other fees.

Deposits

Holding deposit

You may be asked to pay a holding deposit, which gives you exclusive choice to enter a rental agreement for that property. If you pay a holding deposit, the landlord/agent cannot rent the property to anyone else during the holding period.

• The landlord/agent must give you a receipt when you pay this deposit.
• Make sure you know when the holding period ends. If no specific period is set out on the receipt, you have 48 hours to let the landlord/agent know if you would like the property or not.
• You must tell the landlord/agent what your decision is before the end of the holding period. If you do not let the landlord/agent know whether or not you will take the place by the agreed time, you will not get your holding deposit back.
• If you say you will take the place, you must make reasonable steps to enter into a residential tenancy agreement.
• When you sign the agreement, your holding deposit must go first towards your bond and then towards any rent payments.
• If you decide not to go ahead with the property, you must let the landlord/agent know within the holding period. This will ensure your holding deposit is returned to you.

Key deposit

You may be asked to pay a deposit and/or leave your driver licence with your landlord/agent before getting the keys to a rental property.

You must get a signed receipt when you pay a key deposit. The full deposit must be refunded when you return the keys.

Approved applications

If your application is approved, your landlord/agent may meet you to sign the tenancy agreement and ask you to pay some rent and/or the bond.

You and the landlord/agent should agree on a date when the tenancy starts. Check this date is listed on your tenancy agreement.

You should receive the keys and be able to move into the property on the date the agreement starts.

Unsuccessful applications

Ask the landlord/agent why your application was unsuccessful. This may help you with your next application.

The next property you apply for may also be from the same landlord/agent—how you act in response to having your application rejected could affect your future applications.

More information

For more information on applying for a rental property:

• phone Housing Services on 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
• email ICCHousingEnquiries@smartservice.qld.gov.au
• contact your nearest Housing Service Centre.

​