New Rental Application Rules in Queensland — What's Changed in Cubbi


Effective 1 May 2025

From 1 May 2025, Queensland introduced a mandatory standard rental application form (Form 22) under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008. This means property managers and owners can only collect the information that's on the prescribed form — nothing more.


Cubbi has updated its rental application to comply with these rules. If you've used Cubbi before, you'll notice some changes when reviewing applications for Queensland properties. Here's what's different and why.

What You'll No Longer See on Applications

Profile photo

Renters are no longer asked to provide a profile photo as part of their application. Profile photos are not on Queensland's prescribed form, so they can't be collected or used to assess an application.


Occupant names and dates of birth

The application now only shows the number of occupants and how many are under 18 years of age — matching exactly what QLD Form 22 asks for. Individual names and dates of birth for occupants are no longer collected.


You will still see the names of all renters (leaseholders) on the application.


Rent per week offer

Renters can no longer enter a rent amount on their application. Queensland law now prohibits property managers and owners from both soliciting and accepting offers above the advertised rent. All applications are automatically for the advertised amount.


You'll see a notice on the application confirming this. You cannot accept more than the listed rent — even if a renter voluntarily offers more.


Learn more about rent bidding rules in Queensland


Renter-purchased tenant check

Renters are no longer offered the option to purchase their own background check (NTD Tenant Check) through Cubbi. QLD Form 22 specifies that application methods must not impose any cost on the tenant, and offering a paid background check could breach this requirement.


This does not affect your screening. Cubbi still conducts tenant checks as part of our professional screening process, and you also have the ability to run individual checks from your owner dashboard.


Reason for moving

Renters are no longer asked why they are leaving their current address. This is not on the QLD Form 22.



What's Changed But Still Collected

Occupants section renamed

"Adults" is now called "Renters" (people on the lease) and "Children" is now called "Occupants" (anyone else living in the property who isn't on the lease, including children and other family members). This better reflects what the prescribed form asks for.


Living history — rental addresses only

QLD Form 22 asks for rental history, not general address history. Renters are now guided to provide their current address and a previous rental address if they've lived in a rental before. They can still add non-rental addresses if they choose to, but the application makes clear that only rental addresses are required.


Income references are now optional

Income references (verification contacts) are no longer required. Renters can choose to add a reference for their income source or skip it. If they skip, you'll rely on the uploaded documents instead. This doesn't mean there's a problem with the application — it just means the renter chose not to provide an income reference.


Living history references (e.g. previous landlord or property manager contact) are still collected when the renter has a rental-type living arrangement. QLD Form 22 includes property manager/owner contact details on each rental history entry, so these are expected as part of the application.


Document guidance

QLD Form 22 recommends up to 2 documents per category for income proof, identity, and suitability. Renters are guided to provide up to 2 documents per category, but they can attach additional documents if it helps their application. This is a guideline, not a hard limit — no uploads are blocked.


Prescribed form identification

You'll see a reference to "Form 22 — Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008" on the application, confirming that Cubbi's application complies with Queensland's prescribed form.


Tenancy database disclosure

All applications now include a disclosure that Cubbi may check the renter's history using the National Tenancy Database (NTD).



What Hasn't Changed

  • Date of birth — Still collected (QLD Form 22 includes it)
  • Income details — Renters still provide their net income amount, frequency, and proof of income documents
  • Employment details — Company name, position, job title, and location are still collected
  • Pet information — Still collected (QLD Form 22 explicitly includes pet type, number, and other details)
  • Bank balances — Renters can still optionally provide bank balance information to strengthen their application
  • Cover letter — Renters can still write a personal message to you
  • Preferred lease length and move-in date — Still collected
  • Property inspected confirmation — Still collected
  • Proof of address — Still collected for living history entries (max 2 documents)
  • Rent amount — SA and NSW renters can still enter a rent amount, but QLD renters cannot (see above)

Why These Changes Were Made

These updates are required by Queensland law. From 1 May 2025, property managers and owners must use the prescribed Form 22 and can only ask for information that's on that form. Failure to comply with the application process requirements is an offence, with a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units.


Cubbi has made these changes to protect both you and your renters. The information you receive is still enough to assess an application — it's just limited to what the law allows.


Alternative Ways to Apply

Queensland law requires that renters have a way to apply that's not only online. On every QLD listing in Cubbi, renters will see instructions on how to apply. If they can't apply online, they're prompted to message you to request a printable application form.

You can give them this link to the QLD printable application form: https://www.rta.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/Form-22-Rental-application.pdf


Automatic Deletion of Unapproved Applications

Any application that is not approved will be permanently deleted after 90 days. This protects renter privacy and aligns with QLD law.


For more information about QLD rental application rules, visit the RTA Application process webpage.