![Southeast Queensland Prepares For The Arrival Of Tropical Cyclone Alfred](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Brisbane City Council workers fill sandbags at a depot in Lota in preperation for Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images
In the wake of cyclone Alfred, tenants, homeowners and real estate agents are being urged to revisit the rules that apply at this time.
They are urged to make use of Rental Tenancies Authority and Real Estate Institute Queensland resources to better understand their rights and obligations.
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said in the aftermath of a weather event, there were often many questions about how to address immediate and longer-term needs relating to housing.
“Real estate professionals will be focused on helping their clients and community through this disaster,” she said.
“When homes are severely damaged, it’s devastating and distressing, and it can take considerable time and resources to get homes restored and back online.
“This displaces owners, tenants and businesses and it puts an additional strain on the local rental market, as property managers help to co-ordinate efforts to re-home people.
Ms Mercorella said the weather event in SEQ was coming at a time when the region’s vacancy rate was already tight, sitting at just 1.1 per cent in greater Brisbane, 1 per cent on the Gold Coast and 0.7 per cent on the Sunshine Coast, according to the REIQ’s latest Residential Vacancy Rate Report.
“The important thing is to work together and treat one another respectfully with patience and understanding while the extent of the damage is understood and managed,” she said.
“At times like this, good communication is key.”
A kite surfing off Woody Point as SEQ waits for Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Steve Pohlner
HELP FOR TENANTS
The Residential Tenancy Authority (RTA) has a suite of resources that may be helpful for anyone impacted by the cyclone.
These resources include the natural disaster web page, the natural disaster fact sheet and a step-by-step guide for tenants and property managers/owners impacted by natural disasters.
There are web pages explaining when a property becomes unliveable, how to deal with mould and yard and garden maintenance.
RTA has podcast episodes discussing mould, storms, cyclones and flooding, and when a property becomes unliveable.
The RTA also provides a free and impartial dispute resolution service to help people work through rental issues if agreement cannot be reached.
RTA CEO, Jennifer Smith said tenants and property managers/owners may experience slower than usual response times from the RTA during this time.
“Like everyone else across South East Queensland, our staff may be affected by the winds and flooding Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to bring,” she said.
“We are committed to supporting the rental sector as best we can during this time.”
Ms Mercorella encouraged tenants to familiarise themselves with resources outlining their legislative rights, and what to do if the cyclone has damaged or made their rental property unliveable.
“Residential tenancies in Queensland are regulated by legislation and the right to terminate a tenancy agreement on the basis of non-liability applies equally to tenants and property owners,” she said.
“To better understand residential tenancies legislation, tenants can seek support from the RTA.”
The RTA phone lines are open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 5pm, on 1300 366 311.
Customers can also make an online enquiry via the RTA website.
People gather to watch the surf at Coolangatta as the community braces for Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Picture: NewsWire/Glenn Campbell
HELP FOR REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
The REIQ has a Disaster Toolkit for real estate professionals with a FAQ section and fact sheets covering insurance issues, Office of Fair Trading (OFT) information, RTA information, Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) information and more.
The toolkit addresses questions about rental properties becoming unliveable due to storm damage, buyers terminating contracts of sale if a property had been impacted and who is responsible for getting rid of mould in a rental property.
Ms Mercorella encouraged sales agents and property managers in affected regions to download the Disaster Toolkit to assist them in responding to issues surrounding affected properties.
“We want to make sure that everyone has all the information they need to keep their doors open and their business running so they can assist with these urgent matters,” she said.
“As always, the REIQ is here to help our members with every aspect of professional life.
“We have the Property Management Support Service and the Agency Advice Line available for unlimited call support, simply by dialling 1300 MYREIQ.”
Ms Mercorella said the REIQ saw the extraordinary efforts of its members during Townsville floods earlier this year and in 2019, Brisbane floods in March 2022 and Far North Queensland floods after Cyclone Jasper in December 2023.
“In Queensland, we are sadly no stranger to natural disasters and time and time again our communities have rallied together to help displaced residents and businesses,” she said.
“Driven by a strong sense of community, we witnessed real estate professionals going above and beyond the call of duty to help owners and tenants in need, working tirelessly to keep locals housed and lending a hand to clean properties.
“We have no doubt we’ll see that generosity and community support to get everyone sheltered and back on their feet again.”
