Before you sign a lease, it is worth taking a close look at the security of the property you are moving into. So what security upgrades can a tenant actually ask for? In Queensland, rental properties must meet minimum housing standards that include functioning locks on all external doors and windows that can be reached from outside without a ladder. Beyond that legal baseline, tenants are well within their rights to raise security concerns before signing and to request reasonable upgrades as a condition of moving in. Knowing what to ask for, and understanding your rights, puts you in a much stronger position before you commit to a lease.
What Does Queensland Law Actually Require?
The Residential Tenancies Authority’s minimum housing standards require that all Queensland rental properties have functioning locks or latches on all external doors and windows accessible from outside without a ladder. This applies from the moment you move in and throughout the tenancy.
That is the minimum. It does not mean the locks are high quality, recently rekeyed, or that key control has been maintained between tenancies. A functioning lock and a secure lock are two different things, and it is worth understanding that distinction before you sign anything.
Ask Whether the Locks Have Been Rekeyed
This is the first and most important question to ask before signing a lease. When a property changes hands between tenants, there is no automatic requirement for the landlord to rekey the locks. That means the previous tenant, their family members, tradespeople, or anyone else who held a key during the prior tenancy may still have a working copy.
Under Queensland tenancy law, both the landlord and tenant must agree if either party wants to change the locks, and neither party can unreasonably refuse. Asking for the locks to be rekeyed before you move in is a reasonable request, and most property managers will accommodate it. If they will not, that tells you something worth knowing before you sign.
Our domestic locksmith team rekeyes rental properties across the Gold Coast regularly, often on the same day the new tenant moves in. It is one of the most straightforward security steps available and the cost is minimal relative to the peace of mind it provides.
Check the Quality of the Existing Locks
A lock that meets the minimum standard is not necessarily a lock that offers meaningful security. Builder grade locks installed in newer developments are often basic spring latches or low grade deadbolts that offer limited resistance. Older properties may have locks that are worn, stiff, or no longer functioning as intended.
Before signing, inspect every external door and ask yourself whether the locks feel solid and operate cleanly. If something feels off, raise it. You are entitled to ask for repairs or upgrades before agreeing to the lease, and the RTA’s guidance on rental premises condition and repairs confirms that locks in good working order are a landlord responsibility.
Ask About Window Locks
Window locks are covered under the minimum housing standards for windows accessible from outside, but it is worth checking each window yourself during the inspection. Sliding windows and louvre windows in particular often have basic latches that can be lifted or forced without much effort.
If any window locks are missing, broken, or clearly inadequate, document this on the entry condition report and request that they be addressed before you move in. This creates a clear record and protects you if the issue becomes a dispute later.
Sliding Doors and Screen Doors
Sliding glass doors are one of the most common security weak points in Gold Coast homes and units. The standard latch on most sliding doors provides minimal resistance and the door can often be lifted off its track from the outside. Before signing a lease, check whether any sliding doors have secondary locks or floor bolts installed.
Security screen doors are worth asking about too. A genuine security screen door rated to Australian Standard AS5040 adds meaningful protection. A standard aluminium flyscreen does not.
Ask Who Else Has a Key
Property managers, maintenance contractors, and cleaning crews often hold copies of keys for rental properties. Before signing, ask the property manager how many keys exist for the property and who holds them. This is a reasonable question and a professional property manager should be able to answer it clearly.
If the answer is vague or they are unsure, that is a good reason to ask for a rekey before you move in.
What You Can Install Yourself
If the landlord is unwilling to upgrade certain aspects of security, there are some things you can add yourself with written permission. Under Queensland law, tenants need written approval from the property manager before installing additional security features such as alarm systems or additional locks.
Simple additions like door chain locks or sliding door security bars are low cost and often easy to remove at the end of a tenancy without causing damage, making approval easier to obtain.
We Work With Tenants and Landlords Across the Gold Coast
If you are moving into a rental property and want the locks rekeyed, a security check carried out, or any locks repaired or upgraded, our 24 hour emergency locksmith team can help. We work with both tenants and property managers and can often get to you on the same day. Moving into a property with confidence in your security is a reasonable expectation, and we are here to help make that happen.
