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QLD: What Obligations do Tenants have in a Body Corporate Scheme?

qld tenants obligations

This QLD article is about tenants obligations in a QLD strata complex.

Tenants’ rights and obligations in a Body Corporate Scheme – are they the same as lot owners? It’s a question we are often asked by both tenants and lot owners.

Do by-laws apply to tenants?

Tenants are considered “occupiers”, and the rules and regulations of the Scheme’s bylaws are applicable to both lot owners and occupiers.

In Qld, a tenant must be given a copy of the Schemes’ regulations and by-laws by the lessor (lot owner) or the lessor’s agent (property manager or leasing agent), when commencing a tenancy.

What kind of rules do tenants need to follow?

Every Scheme has their own set of bylaws, which are basically a set of rules used to control and manage common property areas, the body corporate assets, and the use of lots.

The bylaws, also applicable to tenants, generally include rules and regulations which are intended to improve the quality of life for all within the community.

Noise

As a tenant, you are entitled to live in peace and quiet, as are your neighbours.

Pets

You may, or may not be entitled to keep a pet within your unit, depending on the by-laws.

It’s important to check this out before you enter into the Tenancy Agreement.

Common Areas

Most by-laws have specific regulations about use of common areas. These could include things like:

Unit Responsibilities

The landlord is generally responsible for repairs and maintenance of the unit, and the tenant is responsible for keeping the place clean and tidy.

Financially, the tenant is obliged to pay the agreed rent on time, and the lessor is obliged to pay body corporate levies on time.

The obligations and rights of landlords and tenants are covered by the Residential Tenancies Authority – see During a tenancy for further details.

We encourage all tenants and landlords to familiarise themselves with the RTA regulations, as these are quite different and separate to the rules and regulations relating to Scheme bylaws.

Tenant Rights

Interestingly many committees and lot owners believe that only lot owners are entitled to interact with the Committee. This is not actually true.

If a tenant wishes to discuss bylaw applicability or make a complaint about a breach of a bylaw, they have every right as an occupier to go through the normal Body Corporate communication channels to obtain the information and help they need.

However, we generally recommend that the issue be raised with the lessor or lessor’s agent first and allow them to represent your concerns to the Committee. If the issue is ignored, then follow the body corporate procedures for lodging a complaint to the Committee.

What is most important when living in a strata community is to get to know your obligations and rights. Everyone is entitled to a quiet and harmonious place to live, and respecting your neighbours, whether they be lot owners or tenants, is the first step to receiving consideration in return.

Have a question about tenants obligations in QLD body corporates or something to add to the article? Leave a comment below.

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This post appears in Strata News #316

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Tower Body Corporate E: kelly.borell@towerbodycorporate.com.au P: 07 5609 4924

This article is not intended to be personal advice and you should not rely on it as a substitute for any form of advice.

This article first appeared on the Tower Body Corporate’s website.

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