Slate Of Rental Reforms Come Into Effect Across NSW

The NSW state government is celebrating what they’ve called “a new era” for renters, with three, hard-fought-for rental reforms coming into effect on Monday.

Passed earlier this year, the reforms end no-grounds evictions, with owners now required to provide a valid reason to end all lease types, increasing security and transparency for renters.

Renters who find a new property after receiving an evictions notice will also have improved rights to end a lease early.

Rose Jackson, Minister for Housing and Homelessness, said the move was “the biggest step forward for renters in a generation”.

“For too long, renters have lived with the fear of being kicked out for no reason. That ends today. We’re delivering the security and stability that 2.3 million renters in NSW deserve,” she said.

The reforms also make it easier for tenants to keep pets with them. Owners are only able to refuse a pet application for specific reasons, such as the owner living at the property or failure to comply with local council laws.

“These reforms recognise that pets are part of people’s families,” said Jackson. “Renters shouldn’t have to choose between a place to live and keeping their companion animal. These changes put common sense into the rental system and end the blanket ban on pets.”

The introduction of fee-free ways to pay rent come into effect today as well, ensuring there are convenient and modern payment methods available without extra cost.

Penalties are now in place for agents or owners who do the wrong thing, with the changes to be enforced by the Minns Labor Government’s Rental Taskforce, comprised of inspectors and support teams to help renters and act on serious breaches of rental laws.

More work to be done, says peak body

The reforms are part of the Minns government’s election commitment to the state’s 2.3 million renters, following earlier changes introduced in October last year, including prohibiting background check fees and limiting rent increases to once yearly.

“Today marks a significant change which brings the rental market into the 21st century and makes renting fairer,” said Premier Chris Minns.

“More people than ever are renting, and they are renting for longer, so these reforms improve security and fairness in the rental market.”

Homelessness NSW has welcomed the reforms, with almost 68,000 people in the state seeking help from homelessness services last year.

“Eviction from private rentals is one of the main causes of homelessness,” said CEO Dominique Rowe. 

“Ending unfair no-grounds evictions will help to keep people in housing and reduce pressure on our overwhelmed homelessness services.”

“These important changes at last bring NSW into line with most of the country and welcome them.”

HNSW have called on the government to increase the stock of social housing from 4.7% to 10%, and to deliver a 30% increase in baseline funding for specialist homelessness services.

Almost 68,000 people sought assistance from homelessness services last year, with many turned away due to overwhelming demand, and more than 65,000 households are on the growing social housing waitlist.