The Real Estate Institute of Queensland last week said it was recommending the strategy to property managers in an attempt to deal with new laws relating to fixed term tenancies coming into effect in October.

The issuing of the notice to leave would confirm an agreed end date to the tenancy, but would not necessarily mean an eviction and would not stop an agreement on a new tenancy.

However, a Government spokesperson said that while issuing a notice to leave was not illegal, it was against the spirit of the reforms which were designed to support renters and enforce their rights without fear of retaliation.

“This practice is causing unnecessary stress for renters and could incur additional costs for rental property owners to replace renters they may have otherwise retained,” the Government said.

“While not unlawful under (the Act) this is disappointing and is not in the spirit of the reforms or consistent with the stated policy objectives for ending tenancies reforms which were to support renters to enforce their existing rights without fear of retaliatory action, provide greater certainty for renters by ensuring tenancies are only ended for identified reasons and ensure parts receive reasonable and workable notice that the tenancy agreement will end.

“Issuing a notice to leave … when the parties enter into a fixed term agreement is inconsistent with the lessor wishing to maintain a tenancy and is not best practice.”