NSW renters will be better protected when new rules that will stop landlords from evicting tenants without a good reason kick in this month.
It’s one of several changes – from May 19 – aimed at delivering more security and fairness in one of the world’s least affordable rental markets.
Under the reforms, landlords in the state must give a genuine reason to end any type of lease.
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The move will make it harder for landlords to kick tenants out just to hike up the rent.
Tenants on fixed-term contracts will also get longer notice periods, giving them at least 60 days to find a new place if they’re asked to move.
In March, NSW Premier Chris Minns said the new rule would provide “much-needed” security for renters.
“This will let them make a house a home.”
NSW will now join the ACT and South Australia in banning all no-grounds evictions.
Victoria allows it at the end of a first fixed-term lease, while in Queensland and Tasmania, landlords must give a valid reason to end periodic tenancies.
Another key reform will make it easier for NSW’s 2.3 million renters to keep pets.
Landlords can only refuse pet requests for specific reasons, such as living at the property themselves, or if the animal breaches local council laws.
If the landlord doesn’t respond within 21 days, approval will be automatically granted.
Renters will also be able to use free, convenient payment options, such as direct bank transfer, helping them avoid extra fees that can drive up rental costs.
“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 NSW Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong.
“These reforms are about creating a fairer, more balanced rental market that gives tenants greater security while ensuring owners have clear and transparent processes to follow,” he said.
“We’ve listened to renters, owners, and industry experts to shape these changes, and we’ll continue working closely with stakeholders to ensure the transition is smooth and well understood.”
Later this year, the Portable Bonds scheme is set to roll out once a new IT system is ready.
It will allow tenants to transfer their existing bond to a new rental, instead of having to front up thousands of dollars while waiting for the old one to be refunded.
“The NSW Government’s portable bonds scheme will give cost of living relief to renters moving homes, by making sure they don’t have to set aside extra money while they wait for their bond to be refunded,” Minns said last July.
Some renter protections are already in effect.
Landlords can’t raise rent more than once every 12 months, and they’re not allowed to ask tenants to pay for a background check when applying for a rental property.
All rental homes must also have dual-flush toilets to meet water efficiency standards.
NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson says the reforms are just the beginning.
“We’ve inherited a rental system that was never designed for long-term tenants — this reform starts to lay new foundations for a fairer system,” she said.
“Housing security shouldn’t be a privilege, it should be the baseline. These changes finally begin to reflect that in law.
“You can’t tackle the housing crisis without fixing renting. This is a vital step toward a system that delivers real stability and security for the millions of people in NSW who rent.”
