New Tenants Break Lease Legislation

Breaking Lease Changes: What It Means for You

Recent changes to tenancy legislation are impacting landlords across the Gold Coast, particularly when tenants choose to end their lease early.

We’re seeing an increase in this behaviour, so it’s important to understand what’s changed—and how we actively protect your investment.

What’s Changed?

When a tenant breaks their lease, the amount they can be required to pay is now limited.

In simple terms, tenants will pay whichever amount is the lesser of:

• Up to the equivalent of 4 weeks’ rent (their bond), or
• Rent until a new tenant moves in

What this means for you:

There can sometimes be a gap between what the tenant pays and the actual costs incurred.

Our Focus: Minimising Your Loss

While the legislation sets the framework, our role is to protect your income and reduce vacancy as much as possible.

When a tenant breaks lease, we act quickly to:

• Launch immediate marketing campaigns
• Tap into our active tenant database
• Adjust pricing and positioning to secure a new tenant faster
• Manage the process to ensure full compliance and correct cost recovery

Speed and strategy are key—and this is where our experience makes a difference.

Your Top Questions Answered

Do tenants need to give 14 days’ notice?

No—there is no fixed notice period for a break lease.

However:

• We work proactively with tenants to gain as much notice as possible
• This allows us to start marketing early and reduce downtime

Can I claim advertising costs separately?

No.

Advertising is included within the reletting cost calculation and cannot be charged separately.

This is why we focus on efficient, results-driven marketing—to minimise both time and cost.

What if I don’t want to re-let the property?

If you decide not to re-let (for example, moving in or preparing to sell), it may limit what can be claimed from the tenant.

This is because landlords are required to take reasonable steps to reduce any loss.

In these situations, we:

• Provide clear guidance on your options
• Help negotiate a fair and practical outcome
• Ensure everything is handled correctly and within legislation

How We Protect Your Investment

Legislation may change—but our approach remains consistent:

Proactive communication with tenants
Fast, strategic re-letting processes
Accurate advice to avoid costly mistakes
Strong negotiation to achieve the best outcome possible

The Bottom Line

Early lease terminations are becoming more common—but with the right management, the financial impact can be significantly reduced.

Our role is to stay ahead of these changes and ensure your property continues to perform.

If you have any questions about your current tenancy or would like advice on your property, our team is here to help.