Tenancy database
A tenancy database is a list where landlords/agents record personal information about tenants who previously have had problems with their tenancies.
Your name may have been placed on a tenancy database at the end of a tenancy if:
- the amount of money owed by the tenant is more than the bond, including
- rent arrears if a Notice to remedy breach (Form 11) was given for this rent
- abandonment of a property
- money owed after an agreement has been reached through Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) conciliation, or a Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) order that has not been paid
- if the tenancy has been terminated by QCAT because of:
- repeated breaches of a conciliation agreement by the tenant
- objectionable behaviour by the tenant
A tenant cannot be listed on a tenancy database for any reasons apart from those listed above.
The database helps landlords and agents decide if prospective tenants are likely to fall behind on rent or damage the property.
Am I listed on a tenancy database?
In each of the tenancy database websites, there is a ‘Tenants’ section that tells you how to find if you are listed.
To find out if you or someone else is listed, contact:
You can write or call database companies to request information about whether and/or why you were listed. Beware that calls to database phone lines may be charged by the minute.
Removing your name
Only tenants named on the tenancy agreement can be listed on a tenancy database. Current or proposed listings can be challenged by:
- contacting the landlord/agent who listed you to talk to them and try to reach an agreement about what you need to do to have your name removed from the database. Keep a copy of all correspondence in case of future disputes
- lodging a Dispute resolution request (Form 16) with the Residential Tenancies Authority Dispute Resolution Service to get help with negotiating an agreement about your proposed listing
- applying directly to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal to make the person or agency remove your listing on the database, or alter the listing as appropriate (make sure you get any changes in writing).
A dispute about a listing on the grounds it does not meet the approved criteria must be initiated within 6 months of the tenant becoming aware of the listing.
More information
For more information about tenancy databases, contact the:
• Residential Tenancies Authority on 1300 366 311
• Tenants’ Union of Queensland on 1800 744 263.
