In 2003 the Queensland government introduced amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act. Under these new tenancy laws Queensland became the first state in Australia to regulate tenancy database listings by real estate agents.

The Residential Tenancies Act now sets out requirements that apply if a real estate agent in Queensland wants to list a tenant on a tenancy database. Under these requirements the agent can only list a tenant for approved reasons. Listing agents must also notify tenants about proposed database listings and give the tenant an opportunity to review the listing.

You can apply to the Small Claims Tribunal for an urgent hearing to dispute a proposed database listing, or an existing listing. Tenants can dispute database listings that are in breach of the approved reasons set out in the Act, or are inaccurate, or unjust under the circumstances. In the Tribunal the Referee can order the listing agent take stated steps to remove the listing.

It is important to be aware that time limits may apply to dispute your listing. If you dispute a listing because it is in breach of the listing requirements you must usually take action within 6 months of becoming aware of your listing.

The Privacy Act also applies to personal information held on tenancy databases. See TICA and Privacy Laws for more information.

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For TICA contact details, tips on how to avoid a database listing and information on how to find out if you are listed on a tenancy database, click on the link below:

Tenancy Databases Update