Rights and responsibilities
Information for Queensland public housing tenants
Your responsibilities as a tenant
Your responsibilities are outlined in the documents you received when you signed your tenancy agreement:
- State tenancy agreement (Form 18c)
- Part 1—schedule
- Part 2—standard terms
- Part 3—the special conditions relating to your tenancy with the department (for example you must tell us about changes to your household or income within 28 days).
- Pocket guide for tenants – houses and units (Form 17a).
Living in your property
While you’re living there, any activity you do in your public housing property must:
- be legal
- not cause a nuisance
- allow neighbours to enjoy reasonable peace, comfort, and privacy.
This is called ‘lawful use of premises’.
We consider any illegal or alleged illegal activities to be dangerous or severe disruptive behaviour and this behaviour is not tolerated in public housing properties.
If you do engage in illegal or alleged illegal activities, we may take immediate action to end your tenancy.
Running a business from home
If you are thinking of running a business from home, it is important you talk to us first.
You need to tell us before you set up your business at home. You will also need to complete an application form to run a business from your home.
To run a business from home, you must:
- continue to live in the property
- not make changes to the property without our permission
- not damage the property
- comply with all laws and regulations relevant to your business type, including local government (council)
- ensure you have all required insurances in place
- not disturb your neighbours or cause a nuisance.
You and any household members must also declare income from your business at your rent review.
For more information or help with your application form , contact your nearest Housing Service Centre or Housing Hub.
If you have a business from your home approved, you must continue to meet the conditions above. If these conditions aren’t met, this may be a breach of your tenancy agreement. Read more about tenancy breaches.
More information
- Housing Service Centres
- Residential Tenancies Authority
- QSTARS—Queensland Tenants Advice and Referral Service
- State tenancy agreement