In a bid to foster a fairer rental market, new laws will be implemented in New South Wales (NSW) effective May 19. These regulations prohibit landlords from evicting tenants without just cause and facilitate pet ownership for renters. The decision builds on previous reforms from October, which eliminated fees for background checks and restricted rent increases to once per year.
Under the new provisions, landlords must present a valid reason for terminating any lease. Acceptable grounds for eviction include breaches of tenancy agreements, impending property sales, significant renovations, or the landlord’s intent to occupy the property themselves, among other scenarios. In addition, notice periods for valid evictions will be extended, ensuring tenants receive adequate time to organise alternative housing. Furthermore, should a tenant find a new rental after receiving an eviction notice, they will be allowed to terminate their current lease early.
Renters will also be permitted to apply to keep pets in their homes, with landlords unable to deny requests unless they cite specific reasons such as personal occupancy or breaches of local regulations. If landlords fail to respond to pet applications within three weeks, they will be automatically approved.
To lessen financial burdens on renters, the new laws introduce fee-free methods for paying rent, such as direct bank transfers.
Premier Chris Minns emphasised that the reforms aim to allow renters to feel more at home, highlighting that renting is increasingly becoming a long-term arrangement for many individuals. With over two million renters in NSW and a significant investor population, the government has worked carefully to implement these changes.
Moreover, additional reforms are anticipated later this year, focusing on enhancing privacy protections for tenants and establishing a portable rental bond scheme.
The government claims that the changes have been shaped by extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including landlords, tenants, investors, and animal welfare organisations. Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson, noted the necessity of reforming a system that hadn’t accommodated long-term tenants adequately, asserting that housing security should be a foundational right rather than a privilege.