Weatherproofing and Privacy Coverings for Queensland Rental Properties

The Weatherproofing Standard

Schedule 5A, section 1 of the RTRA Regulation 2009 requires every Queensland rental property to be weatherproof and structurally sound. Specifically, the roof and windows must prevent water entry when it rains. Roof, walls, ceilings, floors, decks, and stairs must be in good repair and not likely to collapse due to rot or structural defect. The property must not cause damage to the occupant's personal property through water ingress or structural failure.

This standard applies to every residential tenancy in Queensland since 1 September 2024. There is no grandfathering for older properties — a Queenslander built in the 1920s must meet the same weatherproofing standard as a new build.

Cosmetic imperfections are not a breach. Minor plaster hairline cracking, paint flaking, and aged timber that retains structural capacity do not trigger non-compliance. Active roof leaks, sagging ceiling joists, termite-damaged bearers, and unstable decks are immediate breaches requiring licensed trade intervention.

What to Check Before Each Tenancy

Your pre-tenancy weatherproofing audit should cover:

• Roof: Look for cracked or displaced tiles, rusted corrugated iron sheets, deteriorating flashing around vents and chimneys, and blocked gutters that cause water to pool and overflow into wall cavities.
• Windows: Check that all windows close fully and seal against rain. Cracked or missing glass panes are a breach. Timber window frames showing rot need repair or replacement.
• External walls: Inspect for cracks wide enough to admit water, damaged or missing cladding sections, and gaps around penetrations (pipes, cables, vents) that are not sealed.
• Decks and stairs: Test for structural stability, loose or rotting boards, and missing or unstable handrails.
• Subfloor: In raised Queenslanders, check for adequate ventilation, signs of rising damp, and evidence of termite activity in bearer and joist timbers.

Document each item on your Form 1a Entry Condition Report with dated photographs. If a QBCC-licensed builder or structural engineer is needed for anything beyond a visual check, engage them before the lease starts — not after the tenant reports a problem.

The Privacy Coverings Standard

Schedule 5A, section 5 requires privacy coverings — blinds, curtains, window tinting, or frosted glass — on windows in rooms where privacy is reasonably expected. Bedrooms and bathrooms are the primary targets.

There is an explicit exemption: if the external view through the window is already blocked by a fence, hedge, or wall, privacy coverings are not required. The test is practical — stand outside and look in. If you can see into the room from any public or neighbouring vantage point, the window needs covering.

Acceptable coverings include roller blinds, venetian blinds, curtains, blockout blinds, window privacy film, and factory-frosted glass. The covering must actually provide privacy — a sheer decorative curtain that you can see through when a light is on inside does not satisfy the standard.

Child Safety for Corded Blinds

If you install blinds or curtains with cord or chain loops, Australian Consumer Law requires the cords to be secured with a tension device or cleat at least 1,600mm above floor level. Unsecured hanging cords present a strangulation hazard for young children. This is a product safety requirement that sits alongside the Schedule 5A standards.

Cordless blinds eliminate this risk entirely. For new installations in a rental property, cordless options are both safer and lower-maintenance.

Common Weatherproofing Issues in Queensland

Queensland's climate creates specific weatherproofing challenges. Cyclone-region properties in North Queensland face stricter building standards but older homes may predate current codes. Subtropical moisture in Brisbane and the Gold Coast drives mould and timber rot. Flooding in low-lying areas introduces storm-damage obligations.

After any severe weather event — cyclone, major storm, or flood — inspect the property immediately. If structural damage, contaminated mud, or lost utility connections make the dwelling unsafe, the property fails minimum housing standards. The RTRA Act allows either party to negotiate rent suspension, mutual termination, or statutory notices based on uninhabitability.

Properties that rely on timber stumps, as many Queenslanders do, need regular subfloor inspections for termite damage and timber rot. A structurally compromised stump that causes floor movement is a breach of section 1, not a cosmetic issue.

Documenting Compliance

Photograph the roof from ground level showing the overall condition, close-ups of any areas you have repaired, window frames showing intact seals, privacy coverings in each bedroom and bathroom, and the exterior walls at each elevation.

Keep repair invoices from licensed tradespeople: roofers, builders, glaziers, and pest controllers. These documents form your defence file if a tenant or the RTA Investigations Unit challenges your property's compliance.

The Rental Minimum Standards in Queensland guide maps every room in a residential property to the relevant Schedule 5A section, including the weatherproofing and privacy standards, with a printable audit checklist for each.

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