How Will Queensland's 2026 E-Scooter Laws Affect Property Owners?
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Direct Answer
Queensland’s new e-scooter laws, commencing 1 July 2026, introduce tougher offences, safety requirements and enforcement powers for personal mobility devices. For property owners, landlords and body corporates in Brisbane and across Queensland, these changes bring new legal responsibilities – from managing e-scooter use on common property to potential liability for collisions and injuries. At Enlight Lawyers, we explain what the 2026 amendments mean for your property and how to reduce your legal exposure.
Key Takeaways
From 1 July 2026, the Transport and Other Legislation (Managing E-mobility Use and Protecting Our Communities) Amendment Bill 2026 introduces new offences and enforcement powers for e-scooters and personal mobility devices.
Property owners and body corporates may be held responsible for e-scooter accidents caused by unsafe conditions on their land.
Owners of residential complexes and retail centres should review their storage, parking and signage policies before the new laws commence.
Selling an e-scooter or e-mobility device to a person under 16 years old becomes illegal from 1 July 2026, affecting retailers and private sellers.
Insurance arrangements for personal injury and property damage may change – property owners should confirm their coverage with their insurer.
How Do Queensland’s 2026 E-Scooter Laws Affect Property Owners?
The new laws are primarily focused on rider conduct, but they have real knock-on effects for property law. As a property owner, landlord, or body corporate committee member, you need to understand these three key areas: liability for accidents on your premises, common area management, and private sales and storage.
Liability for Accidents on Your Premises
A breach of duty of care can occur when a property owner fails to maintain safe conditions for lawful visitors. If an e-scooter rider is injured on your land because of a hazard – such as a cracked footpath, a missing ramp or poor lighting – you could be legally liable under Queensland’s occupiers’ liability principles. The 2026 amendments do not create a new cause of action, but they increase the likelihood of riders using e-scooters on private property, which may raise the frequency of incidents. Property owners should therefore conduct a risk assessment of their physical spaces.
Common Area Management and Body Corporate Rules
In a strata scheme, the body corporate is responsible for managing and controlling common property. From July 2026, more residents and visitors may arrive by e-scooter, so body corporates should consider implementing clear rules about:
where e-scooters can be parked or stored (e.g., designated racks, not fire escape corridors);
charging locations (to avoid fire hazards); and
speed limits and access paths inside the complex.
If your body corporate rules are silent on these issues, disputes may arise. Updating your by-laws now can help prevent friction later. Our property law team can assist you in drafting enforceable by-laws.
Private Sales, Rental Properties and the Under-16 Ban
From 1 July 2026, it is illegal to sell an e-scooter, e-bike or other e-mobility device to a person under 16 years old. This applies to private and commercial sales in Queensland. For property investors who manage rental properties, this means you should ensure that any e-mobility devices left by tenants are not being sold to minors on your premises. While direct responsibility lies with the seller, owners may face issues if they knowingly allow such sales to occur on their property.
Practical Application in Australia
In practice, Queensland Police and local councils will be the key enforcers. We expect to see an increase in fines for riding offences, and our litigation team may see more disputes arising from e-scooter accidents on private land. Property owners should:
Check their public liability insurance to ensure e-scooter incidents are covered.
Place clear signage about e-scooter restrictions on their property.
Maintain driveways, footpaths and parking areas to a safe standard.
Common Risks or Mistakes
Assuming e-scooters are just like bicycles – they are legally classed as “personal mobility devices”, with their own specific rules.
Ignoring body corporate by-laws – failing to update by-laws before the new laws commence can lead to disputes and liability.
Not advising insurers – many policies have exclusions for claims involving motorised devices; check your coverage now.
Selling to under-16s – even private sellers can face penalties, so always verify the buyer’s age.
Forgetting common property maintenance – a minor defect like a cracked tile can become a major liability claim if an e-scooter rider is injured.
Step-by-Step Approach for Property Owners
If you own or manage property in Brisbane or elsewhere in Queensland, follow these five steps before 1 July 2026:
Review your property – identify any hazards that could affect e-scooter riders.
Update your by-laws or lease agreements – include clauses about e-scooter storage, charging and usage.
Inform your insurer – confirm that your liability policy covers e-scooter incidents.
Add signage – clearly mark where e-scooters are allowed and prohibited.
Seek legal advice – a short consultation can prevent costly litigation later.
Comparison: Old Approach vs New 2026 Approach
| Aspect | Previous approach | From 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Rider offences | General road rules applied | Dedicated offences under the 2026 Amendment Act |
| Enforcement | State police and council officers | Expanded enforcement powers for authorised officers |
| Sales to minors | Generally permitted | Prohibited for e-mobility devices (under 16) |
| Property owner obligations | Few specific duties | Heightened awareness of liability risks |
Note: The table reflects a high-level comparison based on the announced reforms. Specific provisions of the Bill are subject to the final legislation as passed.
Practical Next Steps
The 2026 e-scooter reforms will change how Queenslanders use personal mobility devices – and how property owners manage their land. If you own an investment property, sit on a body corporate committee, or manage a commercial building, now is the time to prepare. We can help you review your by-laws, lease agreements and liability risks.
Contact us today to arrange a consultation. Our dedicated property law team can provide practical, costed advice. You can also meet our lawyers to see who will be assisting you. For general information about your rights and obligations, explore our blog – or simply reach out to us on (07) 3495 1884. We are based at 10/1-3 Noel Street, Slacks Creek, and we speak English, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Vietnamese and Mandarin.