Robert Turnbull intends to fight charges of possessing drug utensils when he faces court on November 20.

However he was ordered to vacate his unit by September 29 for "a serious breach of tenancy by using the premises for an illegal activity", the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled.

Mr Turnbull's unit was one of 32 one-bedroom units in the complex, whose residents are aged between 55 and 90. The average age is 75.

QCAT heard officers from the State Drug Squad raided the Lenneberg Street, Southport, unit on June 10, finding boxes filled with dangerous chemicals and equipment believed to have been used to create drugs.

Police allegedly found methylamphetamine on the bathroom ceiling, on the side of the washing machine on the lounge light switch, on walls and in kitchen cupboards.

While the contamination was low, Department of Housing solicitor Jason Cowan argued more testing was needed and that the chemicals "posed a danger to the elderly neighbours".

The department conceded that the property had not been tested before Mr Turnbull moved in during August 2010.

Mr Turnbull's solicitor Rijad Hadzalic said Mr Turnbull accepted that the items were found in the home but did not know what they were.

However senior housing officer Christine Nichols said Mr Turnbull had spoken to her and "had an idea of what was in [the boxes] as he knows the type of people who placed them there".

Mr Hadzalic said his client had a low IQ and suffered from anxiety, depression and complex trauma. He said staying in the unit was important for Mr Turnbull's symptom management.

QCAT adjudicator Christine Trueman said Mr Turnbull was responsible for the items found in the unit regardless of whether they belonged to him.

"In balancing the interests of the parties I find that the interest of the department and the neighbours living next to Mr Turnbull to be more compelling to protect than the interest of Mr Turnbull," she said.

"I find that unfortunately the order I propose to make will mean Mr Turnbull is likely to be homeless, but I find he has engaged in an illegal activity …"