NSW Government engages community consultation for further changes to rental laws

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“We want to hear from everyone because renters and owners need each other, and they both need a fair set of rules.

“This consultation will give people across the state a voice on what they think of changes to improve stability and fairness in the current rental environment and into the future.”

- Minister for Fair Trading and Better Regulation, Anoulack Chanthivong

7 July 2023

After announcing its steps to further reform rules around rent bidding and introduce plans for a portable bond scheme, the NSW Government has today announced its plans to delve deeper into other potential residential tenancy reforms. Community consultation has begun to discuss topics such as:

  • Ending no-grounds evictions by requiring a reason to end a lease,

  • Making it easier for renters to have pets,

  • Protecting renters’ personal information and privacy,

  • Making it easier to transfer rental bonds from one property to another, and

  • Other ways to improve conditions for renters and take the pressure off.

NSW residents and real estate industry participants can provide input on the above topics until August 11 2023.

The NSW Government reports further on the issue in its media release:

Next steps to a fairer, more modern rental market

The work to implement stage 2 of the Minns Labor Government’s landmark rental reforms is underway, with consultations open across the state. 

After 12 years without a voice, the Minns government is asking renters – along with owners and industry – for their views on critical changes to make renting fairer.

Through this process, people in NSW can comment on changes that will help transform the system and bring it into the 21st century, including;

  • ending no grounds evictions by requiring a reason to end a lease

  • making it easier for renters to have pets

  • protecting renters’ personal information and privacy

  • making it easier to transfer rental bonds from one property to another

  • other ways to improve conditions for renters and take the pressure off.

The move paves the way for legislation to be introduced by the end of the year.

Aside from rental reforms, the Minns Government is taking steps to increase housing supply across the state with high-quality new homes to put downward pressure on rents.

That work includes an audit of surplus public land that could be rezoned for housing, speeding up project approvals and establishing the NSW Building Commission.

People in NSW can have their say on the rental reforms until August 11 2023.

Get more information and Have Your Say on improving NSW rental laws.

Minister for Fair Trading and Better Regulation Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Renters are under extreme pressure in a tight market, but they’re also saddled with unfair and outdated rules that make life even harder.

“We’re getting on with our commitment to rebalance the equation, give renters more protections and let them get on with their lives.

“We want to hear from everyone because renters and owners need each other, and they both need a fair set of rules.

“This consultation will give people across the state a voice on what they think of changes to improve stability and fairness in the current rental environment and into the future.”