External Door Locks and Security for Queensland Rental Properties

The Lock and Security Standard

Schedule 5A, section 3 of the RTRA Regulation 2009 requires functioning locks or latches on all external doors and on windows that are reachable without a ladder. The purpose is straightforward: the property must be securable against unauthorised entry.

For rooming accommodation, the standard extends to locks on every resident's individual room door and windows. General tenancies focus on external entry points.

This standard has applied to every existing tenancy in Queensland since 1 September 2024.

What the Law Requires — and What It Does Not

Queensland tenancy law does not mandate deadbolts, security screens, or Crimsafe-style barrier systems on every opening. The statutory requirement is a functioning latch or lock that secures the opening against external entry. A window latch that locks the window closed satisfies the standard. A sliding door with a functioning key lock or pin lock satisfies the standard.

What fails: a front door with a lock that does not engage, a sliding door with a broken latch that can be pushed open from outside, a ground-floor window with no latch at all, or a window latch that has been painted over and cannot be operated.

The "without a ladder" threshold is the practical dividing line. Ground-floor windows, first-floor windows accessible from a balcony or flat roof, and any window a person could reach by standing on a wall or fence need locks. A second-storey window that is only accessible via a tall ladder does not trigger the requirement.

Pre-Tenancy Lock Audit

Before every new tenancy or lease renewal, walk the property and test every external entry point:

• Front and back doors: turn the key, operate the deadbolt (if fitted), and confirm the latch engages fully in the strike plate.
• Sliding doors: test the lock mechanism from both sides. Many sliding door locks fail gradually — they still look locked but can be jiggled open. Replace worn rollers and latches.
• Ground-floor windows: operate every window latch. Aluminium window latches in older properties are prone to fatigue cracking — they snap rather than lock. Replace cracked latches before the tenant moves in.
• Garage and laundry doors: any external door counts, not just the front entrance. An unlocked side door to the garage that connects to the house interior is a compliance gap.
• Screen doors: if the property has a security screen door, test the lock. A screen door with a broken lock still provides no security.

Record each door and window on your Form 1a Entry Condition Report with a note on lock type and condition. Photograph latches and deadbolts in the locked position.

Changing Locks Between Tenancies

Queensland law does not require you to re-key locks between tenancies, but it is strongly recommended. The outgoing tenant may have had keys copied and distributed to friends, family, or trades. The incoming tenant is entitled to a property that is secure, and you should be able to account for every key that exists.

A locksmith re-key of a standard residential property with three to four locks typically costs $150 to $300. This is a fraction of the potential liability if the previous tenant's spare key is used to access the property during the new tenancy.

Hand over all keys to the new tenant and have them sign a key receipt. Record the number and type of keys provided in the tenancy agreement special terms and on the Form 1a.

Tenant Requests for Additional Security

Tenants may request additional security measures — deadbolts where only a privacy lock exists, window security screens, or a back-to-base alarm system. You are not obligated to upgrade beyond the minimum standard, but refusing a reasonable security request without grounds can create friction.

If you approve the installation, ensure it is carried out by a qualified tradesperson and that the work does not compromise the structural integrity of doors or window frames. If the tenant offers to install at their own expense, clarify in writing who owns the fixture at lease end and whether they must restore the original condition.

The Consequence of Non-Compliance

A property with a non-functioning external lock fails Schedule 5A section 3. The tenant can issue a Form 11 Notice to Remedy Breach giving you seven days to remedy the defect. If you do not, they can apply to QCAT for a repair order or, because security is an emergency repair issue, engage a locksmith under the emergency repair provisions and bill you for up to four weeks' rent.

If the RTA Investigations Unit discovers the breach, you face a maximum fine of $3,454 (20 penalty units at $172.70 per unit from 1 July 2026).

The fix is almost always inexpensive. A new window latch costs $10 to $30 in parts plus a handyman's labour. A replacement sliding door lock runs $50 to $150 installed. The cost of non-compliance vastly exceeds the cost of compliance.

The Rental Minimum Standards in Queensland guide includes a room-by-room lock audit section within its pre-tenancy checklist, covering every entry point that Schedule 5A requires you to secure.

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