Time limits for applying to QCAT
The following common dispute types must be lodged with QCAT in a specific time limit.
Dispute type | Time limit |
---|---|
A landlord or agent lodging a termination order after the handover date | Within 2 weeks of the handover date |
A landlord or agent lodging a claim for termination for failure to leave | Within 14 days of the ‘Notice to leave’ expiring |
A landlord disputing the amount that would have been taken to be payment of a rental bond when a rent decrease is given in the first 6 months of a residential tenancy agreement | Within 7 days of the first 6 months of the residential tenancy agreement ending |
A landlord objecting to a tenant's request to be reimbursed for emergency repair costs | Within 7 days of receiving the tenant's request |
A landlord or tenant disputing a rental bond | Within 7 days after the RTA issued a ‘Notice of unresolved dispute’. You must also tell the RTA within the same 7-day period that you’ve lodged your dispute with QCAT by giving the RTA a copy of the QCAT receipt confirming your application. If you don’t do this, the bond will be paid to the first party who lodged a claim on the bond. |
A landlord or tenant claiming a breach of a residential tenancy agreement | Within 6 months after the lessor or tenant became aware of the breach |
A tenant disputing a significant change to a residential tenancy agreement | Within 30 days after the tenant entered into the residential tenancy agreement |
A tenant disputing a breach of restriction about a residential tenancy database listing | Within 6 months after the tenant became aware of the breach of restriction. If the listing has been unjustly or incorrectly made, there is no time limit. |
A tenant disputing a rent increase because they consider it excessive | Within 30 days of receiving the notice outlining the rent increase |
A tenant objecting to a proposed park rule for a moveable dwelling park | Within 7 days of receiving the ‘Non-resolution notice’ about the proposal from the park liaison committee |
A tenant disputing a ‘Notice to leave’ given without grounds in retaliation for the tenant exercising their rights | Within 4 weeks of receiving the ‘Notice to leave’ |
A tenant disputing an ‘Abandonment termination notice’ | Within 28 days of receiving the ‘Abandonment termination notice’ |
A former tenant dissatisfied with a decision made by QCAT to declare a premises abandoned | Within 28 days after the tenant received notice from the landlord terminating the agreement |
A provider wanting to declare a proposed rule change reasonable in rooming accommodation | Within 7 days of the proposed starting date of the rule change |
A resident disputing entry to their room or removal of a resident from rooming accommodation | Within 6 months after the event occurred |
A resident in rooming accommodation disputing an agreement termination without grounds | Within 2 weeks after notice was given |
A provider or resident claiming a breach of a rooming accommodation agreement | Within 6 months after the provider or resident became aware of the breach |
Further information
- Examples of QCAT decisions about residential tenancy matters after 1 December 2009
- Residential Tenancies Authority
- Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service
- Tenants’ Union of Queensland
- Property Owners’ Association of Queensland
- Real Estate Institute of Queensland