Choosing a rental property
If you are thinking about renting, learn about tips and support available to help find the right place.
What sort of place do you need?
When choosing a rental property there are many things to consider, including:
- How much rent can you afford?
- Do you prefer a house, unit or a townhouse?
- How many bedrooms do you need?
- Do you want to rent a room only, and share the place with other people?
- Do you need a well-fenced yard where pets are allowed?
- Do you have to look after the yard and mow the lawn?
- Do you prefer to park your car on the street or in a garage?
- Does the property have gas, electricity or both?
- Will you have to pay for water use?
- In a moveable dwelling park will there be extra site costs?
- Are the smoke alarms and safety switch working (this is required by Queensland law)?
- Are the blinds or curtains in good condition?
- Is the traffic or other surrounding noise an issue?
- Are the locks on the doors and windows OK for your safety and for your contents insurance?
- Are taps leaking or is the toilet running?
- Is there a phone line and what is the cost of connection
- Does your mobile phone have reception inside the property?
- Is there a television antenna and TV reception?
Services and facilities nearby
The QFinder service helps you find services in and around Queensland communities.
Check facilities and services available in areas where you may like to rent, including:
- local councils sometimes have information on facilities and services.
- education, cultural and health facilities
- transport services.
Searching for a place to rent
There are many ways to find a place to rent in the private market, including:
- searching websites online
- property listings in newspapers
- contacting local real estate offices.
When you start looking, make a list of all properties you’re interested in and the real estate agent’s contact details. Use this list to keep track of the properties you have asked about, inspected or applied for.
Internet searches
There are many websites that allow you to search for rental properties including:
When searching look for:
- properties in a specific suburb or area
- different property types including units/apartments, houses and shared accommodation
- the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and garages at each property
- properties in your price range.
Newspapers ads
You can find properties to rent in most Queensland newspapers in the ‘To Let’ or ‘Shared accommodation’ sections.
Real estate agent offices
- Look for 'to let' or 'for rent' displays in the office windows of real estate agencies.
- Look for 'to let' or 'for rent' signs outside properties in areas where you want to live.
- Speak to your local real estate agent—leave your contact details with them so they can contact you if a suitable place becomes available.
- Look on the noticeboards at TAFE colleges, universities, shopping centres, supermarkets, local shops and cafés for shared accommodation (university websites may be useful for shared accommodation).
You can also ask friends and family to let you know if they hear of something that might be suitable.
Cost of renting
Check the median (or average) rental price and suburb profiles for the areas you want to rent in.
Financial and housing assistance
Public and community housing is affordable rental housing offered to individuals and families on low incomes, especially those who are finding it hard to get a place to rent in the private market.
Community housing is housing delivered by registered providers (e.g. local governments, churches, community organisations).
You may be eligible for:
Resolving disputes
The best way to avoid disputes is to talk to each other as soon as a problem arises and to be aware of your rights and responsibilities when renting.
Sometimes you may need help to resolve the problem. If your landlord or rental agent breaches the tenancy agreement, you can issue them with a Notice to remedy breach.
To resolve problems during a tenancy, you can contact the:
- Residential Tenancies Authority on 1300 366 311
- Dispute resolution service
- Tenants’ Union of Queensland on 1300 744 263
- Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).
More information
For more information on renting in Queensland, contact:
- the Residential Tenancies Authority on 1300 366 311
- your nearest Housing Service Centre
- your local council
- phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
Helpful resources
- Real Estate Institute of Queensland
- Your rights and responsibilities when renting
- Tenant’s Union of Queensland—phone 1300 744 263
- Ant-Discrimination Commission Queensland—phone 1300 130 670 or TTY 1300 130 680
- Caravan and Manufactured Home Residents Association of Queensland Inc—phone (07) 3893 0733 or 1800 061 142 outside of Brisbane.
