THE State Government’s return to tenancy and rent reviews is delivering fairer outcomes for the most vulnerable Queenslanders.
Under the previous government, 45 per cent of Queensland’s public housing tenants had not had their rent or ongoing eligibility assessed in more than five years.
This latest review found that some tenants were underpaying or remaining in homes they may no longer qualify for, while others were overpaying far more rent than they should have.
Some tenants have been able to live in taxpayer-funded housing despite earning well above the ongoing eligibility income threshold – all while thousands of Queenslanders remained stuck on Labor’s social housing waitlist.
The Government’s 2025-26 Budget is delivering a record $5.6 billion to deliver social and community housing over the next four years to ensure more Queenslanders have a place to call home.
The small number of tenants no longer eligible for public housing will be supported to transition to the private market with access to bond loans, rental grants and other assistance products.
One example includes a couple in Townsville with a joint income of more than $168,000 paying just $187 per week in rent.
Since July 1, more than 2000 tenancy reviews, 4 per cent of the total anticipated, have been initiated state-wide, with early results showing:
- 76 tenancies have been initially identified as exceeding the ongoing eligibility limit of $80,000.
- 9 tenancies identified as owning property despite holding a social tenancy.
- 13 households have been advised they are no longer eligible for ongoing public housing and placed on market rent after failing to provide income information.
- 1 in 4 tenancies have had their rent reduced following a rent review.
Under the Government’s strengthened tenancy management approach:
- Annual ongoing eligibility checks will confirm if tenants still meet long-standing income and asset thresholds.
- Market rent will be charged to tenants who do not provide information to verify their income or who are proven to be ineligible for ongoing public housing assistance while they are supported to transition to other housing options.
- Rent in social housing will continue to be calculated as being 25 per cent of a household’s assessable income.
- Households are given 28 days to provide income and household information.
