No-Grounds Evictions Banned Among NSW Rental Reforms
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More than 2.3 million renters in New South Wales will soon benefit from sweeping rental reforms set to take effect on May 19, 2025.
The changes, which aim to create a fairer and more balanced rental market, include banning no-grounds evictions, making pet ownership easier, and ensuring fee-free rent payments.
Premier Chris Minns said the reforms will provide much-needed housing security for renters.
“By banning no-grounds evictions, this will give renters much-needed housing security. This will let them make a house a home,” said Minns.
The abolition of no-grounds evictions means landlords must now provide a valid reason for terminating any lease. In some cases, more extended notice periods will also be required, ensuring tenants have more time to secure new housing. Renters who find a new property before their notice period ends will gain greater rights to end their lease early.
The process for keeping pets in rentals is also changing. Tenants will be able to apply for pet approvals, and landlords will only be allowed to refuse under specific conditions, such as owner-occupancy or council restrictions. A standardised application process has been introduced, with automatic approval if a landlord fails to respond within 21 days.
Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said the reforms offer practical improvements for renters.
“Whether it’s ending no-grounds evictions, making it easier to keep pets, or ensuring renters have fee-free ways to pay rent, these reforms deliver practical improvements that will benefit millions of people across NSW,” said Chanthivong.
Renters will also gain access to fee-free rent payments, ensuring they have cost-free electronic payment options such as direct bank transfers.
Further reforms to come
These reforms follow earlier changes introduced in October 2024, which prohibited background check fees and limited rent increases to once yearly.
Further reforms planned for 2025 include stronger privacy protections and a portable rental bond scheme, allowing tenants to transfer their bond when moving homes.
The NSW Rental Commissioner, Trina Jones, emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring renters and property owners understand the new rules.
“Understanding your rights and responsibilities under the new rental laws will help you avoid penalties and disputes,” said Jones.
A statewide education campaign led by NSW Fair Trading has already seen over 1.2 million visits to its rental information pages. Community information sessions have attracted more than 4,000 participants, and outreach efforts have extended to Dubbo, Western Sydney, and the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
To support compliance, the government has invested $8.4 million into a Rental Taskforce within NSW Fair Trading.
