Rent Bidding Ban in Queensland – How to Advertise Legally

Queensland introduced a rent bidding ban to make the rental market fairer and more transparent. While the rules are straightforward, non-compliant advertising remains one of the most common mistakes made by landlords and agents — often unintentionally.

For Brisbane landlords, understanding how a property can be advertised is just as important as setting the rent itself. Here’s what the rent bidding ban means in practice and how to advertise a property compliantly.

What Is the Rent Bidding Ban?

Under section 160A of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (Qld) (“RTRA Act”), it is an offence for a landlord or agent to:

1. Solicit, invite, or encourage prospective tenants to offer more than the advertised rent, or

2. Advertise a rental property without a stated rent amount.

The purpose of the law is to ensure tenants know the expected rent upfront and are not pressured into competing against each other by offering higher amounts.

Non-compliance can result in penalties under the Act, including fines for landlords and agents (see section 160A(3)).

What You Must Include in a Rental Advertisement

Every rental advertisement in Queensland must clearly state:

• The rent amount, expressed as a fixed weekly, fortnightly, or monthly figure

• Any bond or security deposit, if applicable, must also comply with the RTRA Act requirements (see sections 169–173) 

Advertisements that omit a stated rent are not compliant and could attract penalties.

What You Cannot Say in Rental Advertising

Certain phrases are explicitly prohibited because they encourage rent bidding. Examples include:

• Offers over $650 per week
• Rent from $620+
• Seeking highest offer
• Rent negotiable (if it implies upward bidding) 
• Applicants encouraged to offer above asking rent

Any wording that suggests competition on price or invites higher offers breaches section 160A(1) of the RTRA Act.

How to Handle Applications Offering More Than the Advertised Rent

The legislation focuses on soliciting or encouraging higher offers. Key points:

• Agents and landlords must not ask for higher offers

• Advertisements must not suggest higher offers will be favoured 

f a tenant offers more than the advertised rent without solicitation, the safest approach is to assess applications based on suitability, not price. Engaging in rent bidding or favouring higher offers can be considered a breach of the Act.

Why Compliance Matters

Non-compliant advertising can result in:

• Penalties under the RTRA Act

• Complaints to the RTA

• Delays in leasing

• Reputational damage

• Complications in future rent review

Compliance protects landlords and ensures fair, transparent treatment of tenants.

How LongView Ensures Compliant Advertising

At LongView, rent compliance starts before a listing goes live. Our process includes:

• Setting rental pricing using current market data

• Ensuring every listing includes a compliant rent figure

• Reviewing advertising language to avoid prohibited wording

• Training leasing staff to avoid rent bidding conversations

• Selecting tenants based on suitability, not price escalation 

This approach protects landlords, reduces risk, and delivers strong leasing outcomes in line with the RTRA Act.