This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Mandatory Fees for rent payment - RTA position'.

Thank you for your enquiry about how to report a possible offence under Queensland tenancy law.
Making a complaint
1.  Complete the attached form
   Include copies of any documents that support your allegations. Do not send originals. If you don’t have copies, 
simply list the documents on the form.
  Warning: You must not provide false or misleading information to the RTA.
2.  Send the form to:
  Email: 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx
  Post: 
Investigations
   
Residential Tenancies Authority
   
Reply Paid 390
   
Brisbane Q 4001
  In person:  Level 23, 179 Turbot Street, Brisbane Q 4000
3.  An investigations officer will be allocated to your case within 3 weeks of the RTA receiving your complaint.
For more information please refer to the enclosed Guide to investigation or go to rta.qld.gov.au or call 3046 5506.
Regards
Investigations team
Level 23, 179 Turbot Street | GPO Box 390 Brisbane Q 4001 | t 1300 366 311  | rta.qld.gov.au

Reset form
Print form
Residential Tenancies Authority 
Investigation request
Investigation no. (OFFICE USE ONLY)
Please complete BOTH sides of the form
Failure to provide supporting documentation will delay the investigation
 IN
To support your complaint, please include relevant documentary evidence such as:
•   a copy of your tenancy agreement
•   copies of receipts (bond and/or rent), other notices or forms relating to your complaint
•  any email, text messages or other correspondence relating to your complaint
•  names and contact details of any witnesses
•  other evidence that will support your allegation/s (remember to provide copies only – please keep hold of the original documents)
Please keep all original documents safe. Try to remember exact dates, times, names and other details so you have them 
ready when we contact you.
 If necessary, the RTA can assist you with the following services (mark all that apply):
 Writing/reading help
Auslan or signed English
Interpreter service. Language:
1  Address of the rental property the complaint is about
Postcode
2  Details of the person submitting this form 
You are (e.g. property owner, property manager, tenant)
RTA ID (if known)  
Bond number (if known)
Full name
Mr
Mrs
Miss
Ms
Date of birth
 /        /
 
Address
Postcode
Phone
1.
2.
Email
Preferred method of contact
Phone 1
Phone 2
Email
Mail
3 What date did the tenant move in to the property?
 /        /
4 Does the tenancy relate to ‘room only’
No
Yes
If yes, how many bedrooms are in the property?
5 If you are the tenant, did the property owner/manager live in the property during your tenancy?
No
Yes
6  Details of who the complaint is about
They are (e.g. property owner, property manager, tenant)
Full name
Mr
Mrs
Miss
Ms
 
Address
Postcode
Phone
Email
The RTA is collecting your personal information for the purpose of carrying out the RTA’s functions under the Residential Tenancies and 
Rooming Accommodation Act 2008
 and may provide your information to QCAT and other bodies. For more information see the RTA website. 
Level 23, 179 Turbot Street | GPO Box 390 Brisbane Q 4001 | t 1300 366 311  | rta.qld.gov.au
Form: Page 1 of 2     v5 Jul17

Residential Tenancies Authority 
Investigation request
7  Your complaint is about
rent
receipts
ending agreement
forwarding address
other documents
non-lodgement of bond
Total amount of bond paid $
Date/s when the rental bond was paid
How was the bond paid?  Please provide copies of cheque/credit card/bank statement/payment book receipts
Cash
EFTPOS
Payment book supplied by lessor/agent
Bank transfer
Cheque
Credit Card
Other
Did the person receiving the bond give you a receipt? 
Yes
No
If yes, please attach a copy of all receipts
Has an RTA Dispute resolution request (Form 16) been lodged? 
Yes
No
If yes, provide Reference number (if known)
entry
Name of the person/s who entered?
Date
Time
Date
Time
When did they enter?
 /        /
 /        /
Why did they enter?
Did you receive an RTA Entry notice (Form 9)? 
Yes
No
If yes, please provide a copy with your complaint
Did you allow the entry? 
Yes
No
other
8  Provide a summary of your complaint  Attach additional pages if required
9  Signature
The information I have provided is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing false or misleading 
information may be an offence.
Date
 /        /
Level 23, 179 Turbot Street | GPO Box 390 Brisbane Q 4001 | t 1300 366 311  | rta.qld.gov.au
Form: Page 2 of 2     v5 Jul17

Residential Tenancies Authority 
Guide to investigations
The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) investigates alleged offences under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming 
Accommodation Act 2008
 (the Act).
The RTA’s compliance function promotes compliance with the law and discourages future offending through education and 
enforcement action.
Offences
Some of the offences the RTA can investigate include:
•  failure to lodge a bond with the RTA within 10 days of receiving the bond
•  failure to provide a written tenancy agreement
•  entry by a property manager/owner without proper notice or consent
•  imposing special terms in tenancy agreements that contravene the Act
•  providing false or misleading documents to the RTA
•  failure to provide a forwarding address if asked in writing at the end of a tenancy
•  ending a tenancy in an unauthorised way (e.g. forcefully evicting a tenant)
What happens in an investigation?
An investigation is an impartial fact-gathering process. 
Anyone involved in an investigation should provide as much relevant information and documentation to the RTA as possible, 
allowing all evidence to be considered.
Responding to allegations
If an offence is identified, the parties involved will be given a chance to respond and provide information.
Anyone responding to allegations are encouraged to first seek independent legal advice. There is no obligation to participate 
in the investigation process. Any information provided will be considered when making a decision about what action to take, 
and may be used as evidence in court. 
Enforcement action
If an offence is identified, action will be taken to stop the offence happening again. In most cases, engaging with the offender, 
and notifying them of their obligations, is enough to stop further offending. However, the RTA may consider issuing a penalty 
infringement notice or prosecution when:
•  these strategies have failed or they do not address the serious nature of the complaint
•  there is ongoing and systemic non-compliance
•  significant detriment has been caused
•  conduct involves deceit, dishonesty or was unconscionable 
•  it is in the public interest
For a prosecution to commence, there must be sufficient evidence, and it must be in the public interest to proceed. Each 
offence must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, which may require the person making the complaint to appear in court as 
a witness.
Once the investigation is finalised, the person who made the complaint, and the person who the complaint is about, will be 
advised of the decision, including any enforcement action to be taken.
Enforcement action may be published on the RTA’s website.
RTA investigators 
Investigators are ‘authorised persons’ and have powers under the legislation to enter and search a property, seize documents 
and require individuals and/or organisations to disclose information in certain circumstances. Obstruction of an authorised 
person, or providing false or misleading information, is an offence.
Level 23, 179 Turbot Street | GPO Box 390 Brisbane Q 4001 | t 1300 366 311  | rta.qld.gov.au
Guide: Page 1 of 2     Feb17

Residential Tenancies Authority 
Guide to investigations
Timeframe
As the RTA receives a large number of investigation requests, it may take up to 21 days before an investigation into a 
complaint can begin.
Most investigations are finalised within 6 months.
The RTA cannot investigate an offence that occurred more than 2 years ago.
Recovering money
If you are trying to recover money owed, you will need to lodge a Dispute resolution request or call 1300 366 311 for help. If 
the dispute resolution process is unsuccessful, the matter may be taken to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal 
(QCAT).
Making a complaint 
Contact us on 1300 366 311 to obtain an Investigation request form to submit your complaint to the RTA.
About the RTA
The RTA is the Queensland Government statutory body that administers the Residential Tenancies and Rooming 
Accommodation Act 2008

The RTA provides tenancy information, bond management, dispute resolution, investigation, and policy and education 
services to the residential rental sector.
Visit 
rta.qld.gov.au
Call 
1300 366 311
 
Mon–Fri 8.30am – 5pm
This information is for general guidance only. It is not legal advice. The RTA cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information 
provided. For more information refer to Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008.

Level 23, 179 Turbot Street | GPO Box 390 Brisbane Q 4001 | t 1300 366 311  | rta.qld.gov.au
Guide: Page 2 of 2     Feb17