Significant changes have been implemented in New South Wales (NSW) regarding rental agreements, directly impacting the state’s 2.3 million tenants. As of May 19, new laws aim to modernise the rental market, ensuring enhanced fairness and security for renters, according to Premier Chris Minns. He noted that the reforms acknowledge that more people are renting for extended periods, improving their overall renting experience.
Key reforms include the prohibition of no-grounds evictions. Previously, landlords could terminate leases without justification, but now they must provide valid reasons, such as tenant violations, sale of the property for immediate possession, or the need for repairs. In certain instances, landlords must provide supporting documentation for evictions. The reforms also introduce time restrictions for re-letting properties, limiting landlords from placing the property back on the market for durations that can extend from four weeks to a year after an eviction.
Additionally, the notification period for ending leases has been extended, with landlords required to give a minimum of 90 days’ notice for long-term agreements and at least 60 days for shorter leases.
Another notable change is the ease for renters to obtain approval for pets. Landlords can no longer blanket ban pets in listings, and can only deny requests based on specific criteria, such as safety concerns or local laws. If landlords do not respond to a pet request within 21 days, the request is automatically granted and remains valid for the pet’s lifetime.
Moreover, tenants are no longer required to pay rent through specific apps or services that might incur additional charges. Instead, landlords must allow payments via bank transfer and will soon be mandated to offer the federal government’s bill-paying service, Centrepay, as a payment option.
These comprehensive reforms aim to create a more equitable rental landscape in NSW, providing tenants with enhanced stability and rights in the leasing process.