The short answer
Queensland rentals must be free from vermin, damp and mould under the minimum housing standards, unless the tenant caused it. The RTA says owners are responsible when mould comes from a structural problem or reasonable use, and tenants when their own actions caused it. The cause decides who pays for the fix.
The standard
The Residential Tenancies Authority lists the minimum housing standards that every Queensland rental must meet when the tenant moves in and throughout the tenancy. One of them is that the premises must be free from vermin, damp and mould — with the exception of cases where the damp or mould was caused by the tenant.
The standards applied from 1 September 2023 for new and renewed tenancies and from 1 September 2024 for all remaining tenancies.
Who fixes what
The RTA’s guidance splits responsibility by cause:
| Cause | Who is responsible | RTA example |
|---|---|---|
| Structural problem | Owner / manager | A leaking roof |
| Reasonable use of the property | Owner / manager | A leaking shower head |
| Tenant’s own actions | Tenant | Not ventilating a bathroom after steam builds up |
Tenants should tell the owner or manager as soon as possible when mould, damp or vermin appears.
Why cause is so often disputed
In practice, many cases sit in the middle. Condensation in a poorly ventilated bedroom can be partly the building — no exhaust, cold uninsulated walls, a bathroom fan venting into the ceiling — and partly how the home is used — drying clothes inside, windows kept shut. Both sides can be partly right.
That is where evidence helps. An independent inspection records:
- Moisture readings that distinguish a leak (wet at a source, with a gradient) from condensation (damp cold surfaces, dry cavities behind).
- Humidity logging over several days to show how the room behaves in normal use.
- Ventilation checks — whether exhaust fans work and where they vent.
- Photos and a floor plan of where the mould is.
A neutral report written for both the owner and the tenant to read is often enough to agree on a repair without going further.
If it can’t be agreed
The RTA has dispute resolution services, and unresolved disputes can go to QCAT. A dated, independent inspection report is the kind of document both processes can rely on. General information only — check current RTA guidance or get advice for your situation.
Questions people ask
When did the damp and mould standard start?
The minimum housing standards applied to new and renewed tenancies from 1 September 2023 and to all remaining tenancies from 1 September 2024.
What should a tenant do first?
Tell the owner or property manager as soon as possible, in writing, with photos. The RTA asks tenants to report mould, damp or vermin promptly.
Does the owner have to disclose past mould to a new tenant?
A 2018 federal inquiry recommended better disclosure of past mould and water damage to tenants; the Government response noted tenancy law is a state matter. Check current RTA guidance.
References
- [1]Minimum housing standards — Residential Tenancies Authority (Queensland)
- [2]Minimum housing standards fact sheet – general tenancies — Residential Tenancies Authority (Queensland)
- [3]Australian Government response to the Inquiry into Biotoxin-related Illnesses in Australia — Australian Government Department of Health
Checked against these references on 2 November 2026.