NSW Government introduces strata sector reforms, extends existing property services commissioner role

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NSW Government introduces strata sector reforms, extends existing property services commissioner role

9 October 2023

The NSW Government has announced in a media release today that it will “move forward on critical reforms to strata laws this week, implementing changes to make the system fairer and more transparent”. As part of this goal, it has introduced the state’s first ‘Strata and Property Services Commissioner’ role. This has been carried out by extending John Minns’s existing role as Property Services Commissioner to also encompass strata matters.

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October 2023 Newsletter

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October 2023 Newsletter

3 October 2023

Newsletter snapshot:

  • Industry updates: Consumer Affairs Victoria warns against failure to audit trust accounts // Queensland Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) continues to encourage tenants to enquire about outstanding bonds // Commercial news: Commercial real estate sector primed for strong growth in 2024, experts predict.

  • Disciplinary action: Victorian estate agent facing disciplinary action for poor conduct // Former Victorian estate agent convicted over illegal transfers of client funds // Western Australia Consumer Protection urges tenants to report racist behaviour after agent reprimanded and suspended // NSW Fair Trading publishes results from underquoting compliance inspections, confirms $52,800 in fines issued.

  • Legislative changes: Tasmanian agents, have your say on proposed changes to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal legislation by 4 October 2023.

  • NSW CPD updates: NSW Class 2 and Class 1 licensees can now complete their CPD training with us online!

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NSW Fair Trading publishes results from underquoting compliance inspections, confirms $52,800 in fines issued

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NSW Fair Trading publishes results from underquoting compliance inspections, confirms $52,800 in fines issued

3 October 2023

Following in the footsteps of the Victorian consumer protection body Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV), NSW Fair Trading has also conducted and completed its own investigation into underquoting in the NSW (Sydney) property market. Some inspections were carried out undercover.

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September 2023 Newsletter

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September 2023 Newsletter

1 September 2023

Newsletter snapshot:

  • Industry updates: NSW licensees in charge: Ensure assistant agents are qualified by March 2024 // NSW Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for multi-licence holders clarified.

  • Disciplinary action: Queensland Fair Trading charges Cairns real estate agent over 13 offences.

  • Legislative changes: Further reforms to rent bidding in NSW // Rent bidding illegal in South Australia from 1 September 2023 // New laws around minimum housing standards commence 1 September 2023 in Queensland.

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Further reforms to rent bidding in NSW

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Further reforms to rent bidding in NSW

31 August 2023

In the latest issue of ‘Property Matters’, the NSW Government has outlined the progress it has made in strengthening the rules around rent bidding in the state.

Two significant updates to the rent bidding laws started on Thursday 3 August 2023: 

  • Advertisements for residential rental properties must have a fixed price.

  • It is unlawful for anyone, including landlords and digital rental application providers, to invite or ask for offers of rent for residential premises higher than the advertised price. 

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NSW Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for multi-licence holders clarified

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NSW Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for multi-licence holders clarified

31 August 2023

In the latest issue of ‘Property Matters’, NSW Fair Trading has provided clarification around the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements for individuals who hold multiple licences.

NSW Fair Trading has stated that, if you hold more than one category of property licence in NSW (for example, a real estate and a stock and station licence), “you must complete a baseline minimum of four hours CPD for the year and at least three compulsory topics in each category of licence you hold.”

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NSW licensees in charge: Ensure assistant agents are qualified by March 2024

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NSW licensees in charge: Ensure assistant agents are qualified by March 2024

31 August 2023

In the latest issue of ‘Property Matters’, NSW Fair Trading has reminded licensees in charge that they must ensure any assistant agents working under their supervision since March 2020 must apply for their Class 2 licence by 22 March 2024.

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August 2023 Newsletter

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August 2023 Newsletter

4 August 2023

Newsletter snapshot:

  • Industry updates: NSW Government announces change to temporary accommodation access support people in crisis // NSW Government introduces rental commissioner role // Queensland Residential Tenancies Authority reports over 114,000 outstanding bond payments // NSW stock agent news: Sheep and goat electronic ID grants open for saleyards and processors

  • Disciplinary action: Victorian agents hit with over $500k in fines for underquoting // Consumer Affairs Victoria commences action against agency for practising while unlicensed.

  • Legislative changes: NSW Government engages community consultation for further changes to rental laws // No-cause evictions to be banned in South Australia.

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NSW stock agent news: Sheep and goat electronic ID grants open for saleyards and processors

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NSW stock agent news: Sheep and goat electronic ID grants open for saleyards and processors

1 August 2023

In a media release today, the NSW Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, announces that applications are now open for saleyards and processors to apply for part of the $38 million ‘Sheep and Goat eID Infrastructure Rebate Scheme’. It is understood that the electronic identification (eID) support for the NSW sheep and goat industries intends to boost biosecurity in NSW.

So, when can stock and station agents apply?

  • The application window for the NSW Sheep and Goat eID Infrastructure Rebate Scheme for saleyards and processors is from 1 August until 31 January 2024, and 3 October until 31 March 2024 for producers and stock and station agents.

  • Early applications are encouraged, as funding is limited, and applications will be considered in order of date received.

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NSW Government introduces rental commissioner role

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NSW Government introduces rental commissioner role

11 July 2023

Since launching community consultation around further changes to residential tenancy laws, the NSW Government has today announced the new role of rental commissioner to government.

The role of the rental commissioner will involve:

  • Acting as a voice for renters and working with the government and stakeholders to get moving on the reforms open for consultation now,

  • Being responsible for identifying and investigating other issues that impact the NSW rental market, and

  • Examining rental affordability and supply, encouraging longer-term rental agreements, investigating ways to improve energy efficiency for renters, developing educational resources for renters and owners, and monitoring current tenancy laws.

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NSW Government engages community consultation for further changes to rental laws

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NSW Government engages community consultation for further changes to rental laws

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.

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July 2023 Newsletter

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July 2023 Newsletter

7 July 2023

Newsletter snapshot:

  • Site-wide discount to celebrate World Chocolate Day! 🍫

  • Industry updates: Over $300,000 stolen from WA real estate trust account by scammers // Update on NSW rent bidding ban compliance.

  • Disciplinary action: NSW real estate agent sentenced to two years imprisonment following 121 counts of fraud // Former Victorian estate agents representative banned from industry for 10 years, fined $2,500 // Former Victorian agent sentenced for misuse of over $100,000 in trust money.

  • Legislative changes: Rent bidding banned in South Australia // New laws around rent increase frequency for Queensland commenced 1 July 2023.

  • Feature blog: ‘Protecting your real estate business from scam activity and fraud’.

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