Domestic violence and tenancy matters
Managing lease and bond issues, and any subsequent proceeding.
- How to remove your name from a lease
- How to apply for a bond refund
- How to check and remove your name from a tenancy 'blacklist'
- What happens to your belongings if you leave them behind
- If you don't wish to attend your hearing in person
- If you would like a support person at your hearing
- If you would like representation, including legal representation, at your hearing
- If you would like security at your hearing
- If you don't want personal information available to the public or other party
- If you would like your hearing to be closed to the public
- If you don't have all your evidence when you make your application
- If you would like to bring evidence that wasn't provided previously
- If you need an interpreter or other assistance at the hearing
- How to seek legal advice and help
- Other domestic violence support services
How to remove your name from a lease
To request to have your name removed from a lease, you can lodge Form 2 – Application for minor civil dispute – residential tenancy dispute.
Pages 8-10 of the form list the relevant sections of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 that can be used to remove your name from a lease.
In addition to the completed Form 2, please provide all evidence and supporting documentation to support your case, see page 7 of the Form 2.
Please note, you cannot remove another person’s name from a lease, but you can remove your own.
How to apply for a bond refund
To receive a refund of your bond, you need to:
- Complete the Residential Tenancies Authority’s (RTA’s) bond refund process. For more information, please contact the RTA.
- If this does not resolve the matter, you can lodge a Form 2 at QCAT. There are certain sections of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 that can be used, see pages 9-10 of the Form 2.
How to check and remove your name from a tenancy ‘blacklist’ database
Contact your real estate agent if you suspect you are on a tenancy blacklist database. If you are on a list, you can apply to QCAT to make an order to have it removed by filling out a Form 2.
What happens to your belongings if you leave them behind
The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008allows people to vacate a property under urgent circumstances and makes provision for storing goods.
See relevant sections:
Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008
- 415, Meaning of urgent application
- 363, Goods left on premises
Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Regulation 2009
- 26, Prescribed value for goods left on premises
If you don’t wish to attend your hearing in person
You can apply to attend by phone. Please do so as soon as possible once your hearing date is set.
If you would like a support person at your hearing
You can have a support person as long as that person does not speak on your behalf.
If you would like representation, including legal representation, at your hearing
Please complete Form 56 – Application for leave to be represented as soon as possible once your hearing date is set. Leave to be represented is subject to the tribunal’s discretion. Access more information on legal advice .
Please supply as much supporting documentation as you can with this application.
If you would like security at your hearing
If you wish to have security available at your hearing please provide your request in writing by email, post or fax.
If you don't want personal information available to the public or other party
Personal information may include your address or phone number. You can apply for a non-publication order by submitting Form 40 - Application for miscellaneous matters.
If you would you like your hearing to be closed to the public
QCAT hearings are generally open to the public. You can apply to QCAT to make your hearing a closed hearing by submitting Form 40 - Application for miscellaneous matters.
If you don’t have all your evidence when you make your application
This should not prevent you from submitting your application. This information can be filed at any time up to three days prior to the hearing.
If you would like to bring evidence to the hearing that has not been provided previously
The presiding QCAT member will decide if this evidence can or cannot be accepted.
If you need an interpreter or other assistance at the hearing
We can find an interpreter for you and offer support for those who are hearing impaired or require a wheelchair. Please let us know your needs as soon as possible before your hearing.
How to seek legal advice and help
If you need to seek legal advice, you can contact a private solicitor, Legal Aid Queensland or a community legal centre.
Other domestic violence support services
| Organisation | Contact number |
|---|---|
| DV Connect – Womensline | 1800 811 811 |
| DV Connect – Mensline | 1800 600 636 |
| Elder Abuse Prevention Unit | 1300 651 192 |
| Immigrant Women’s Support Service (Brisbane) | 07 3846 3490 |
| Kids Helpline | 1800 55 1800 |
| Queensland Courts | Your local Magistrates Court |
| Queensland Police | Please call 000 in an emergency, otherwise, call Policelink on 131 444 |
Descriptions of QCAT's jurisdiction on this website are general information only. They do not definitively describe the types of applications on which QCAT can make decisions. The relevant legislation determines QCAT's jurisdiction. If you are unsure about your legal rights, you should seek legal advice. Your individual circumstances should guide any actions taken to resolve your dispute.