First-Time Landlord: How to Rent Out Your Property in Brisbane

To rent out your property: get it lease-ready and priced, market it on the major portals, screen and place a tenant, lodge the bond with the RTA, and manage the tenancy. You can do it yourself or hand it to a property manager. Here is the full process, step by step.

The six steps to lease your property

Step 1

Get the property lease-ready

Make sure the property is clean, safe and compliant, with working smoke alarms and any needed repairs done. Present it well for photos, as marketing condition has a direct effect on the rent and how fast it leases.

Step 2

Set the right rent

Price the property against recent comparable lettings in the area, not guesswork. Accurate pricing leases faster and earns more over the year than an optimistic figure that sits vacant.

Step 3

Market it and find a tenant

List on the major rental portals with professional photos, handle enquiries and inspections, and collect applications. Strong marketing brings more applicants and a better choice of tenant.

Step 4

Screen applicants and prepare the lease

Verify identity, income and rental history, and check references before choosing a tenant. Then prepare a compliant lease and complete an entry condition report.

Step 5

Lodge the bond with the RTA

Collect the bond and lodge it with the Queensland Residential Tenancies Authority. The bond is held by the RTA in the tenant’s name for the life of the tenancy.

Step 6

Manage the tenancy

Collect rent, handle arrears promptly, run routine inspections, coordinate maintenance and stay compliant, or hand all of it to a property manager.

Getting the rent right

Pricing is where first-time landlords most often go wrong, in both directions. Too high and the property sits empty; too low and you leave money on the table every week for the life of the lease. Base it on recent comparable lettings in your suburb. Our guide to setting rent and the rent calculator are good starting points.

Choosing a tenant

The tenant you place is the single biggest factor in how the tenancy goes. Verify identity, income and rental history, and check references before you decide. Our tenant screening guide explains what good screening looks like.

Do it yourself or hand it over?

You can self-manage, or have a property manager handle the entire process for a percentage of the rent. If your time is limited, you are not local, or you would rather not deal with tenant calls and compliance, a manager is usually worth it. Our comparison guide weighs it up.

Common questions

How do I rent out my house in Brisbane?

Get the property lease-ready and priced, market it on the major portals, screen and place a tenant, lodge the bond with the RTA, and manage the tenancy. You can do this yourself or hand it to a property manager who handles the whole process for a percentage of the rent.

What do I need before renting out my property?

At a minimum: the property in safe, clean, compliant condition with working smoke alarms, an accurate rent figure, professional marketing, a screening process, a compliant lease, an entry condition report, and landlord insurance. A property manager can arrange all of this for you.

Do I need landlord insurance?

It is strongly recommended. Landlord insurance covers risks a standard home policy does not, such as loss of rent and tenant-caused damage. See our landlord insurance guide for what to look for, and confirm cover with your insurer.

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First-time landlord: how to rent out your property.