Tenants Rent Reductions

Landlords and tenants alike should be aware of the powers of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal to consider applications under
the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008. If rented accommodation is completely or partly unfit to occupy, or if the services and facilities associated with those premises are not available or are not properly maintained, QCAT has the power to both order rental reductions and rebates and also compensation if Landlords are found to be at fault.

In the recent case of Rostas v Shores Realty 2014, QCAT came to the conclusion that the allegations by the tenant were not true and the claims for compensation and rent reductions should be rejected. However, the case is a timely reminder to Landlords of their obligation to ensure that rental properties are kept in good condition and that the services and facilities that form part of the properties need to be maintained and repaired if they require it. For tenants, it is a timely reminder of the remedies available to them if their Landlords are not diligent in ensuring that the properties that they rent are properly maintained.