NSW Residential Tenancy Reforms

Starting 19 May 2025, reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW) will be introduced to promote a fairer rental market in relation to residential tenancies. Tiahna Cassar with this summary.

These changes include the removal of ‘no-grounds’ evictions and simplified processes for tenants to keep pets in rental properties. This follows earlier reforms from October 2024, which prohibited fees for renter background checks and restricted rent increases to once per year.

Currently, NSW landlords can terminate a tenancy for any reason or no reason at all, provided they give the tenant the required notice period. Under the May reform, ‘no grounds’ evictions will cease to exist, and owners will be required to provide a genuine reason to terminate the lease. This will apply to all residential tenancy agreements including both fixed-term and period agreements. Renters who find a new property after receiving an evictions notice will also have improved rights to end the lease early.

Further, tenants will be permitted to apply to keep a pet in their rental home, with owners only able to refuse for specific reasons such as the owner living at the property or due to failure to comply with local council laws. Approval will be automatic if owners do not respond to pet applications within 21 days after the application is given to the landlord or the landlord’s agent.

Additionally, the reforms will ensure that the tenant has access to convenient, free and electronic payment options such as direct bank transfer, preventing any extra fees which add to rental costs.

Click on the following links to learn more about the reform:

Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill 2024 [NSW] https://lnkd.in/gGNiCSd3

NSW Government ‘Changes to rental laws’ https://lnkd.in/gK6teEEP.