
New Rental Laws in NSW – Everything You Need to Know
On 24th October 2024, the NSW Parliament approved changes to the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill 2024. In turn, the legislation is now known as the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024. These key changes to the Act and associated Regulations were made in an effort to create a fairer and more stable rental market for renters, landlords and agents alike.
Whilst some changes are already in force, the majority of the changes will come into effect on 19th May 2025. With new rules around pets in rental properties, these legislative changes will directly impact strata communities. Here is what you need to know:
Key Updates
Key changes introduced under the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024 and accompanying regulations include:
- Pet Approvals: If a tenant seeks approval to keep a pet, the landlord will only be able to dent approval for specific reasons, such as overcrowding, legal restrictions or unsuitability of the property.
- Pet Approval Timeframes: Landlords must provide a written response to pet requests within 21 days, or the request is automatically approved.
- Pet Consent: The approval will remain in place for the life of the animal – even if the managing agent or landlord changes.
- Strata By-Law Restrictions: Blanket pet bans in strata communities will no longer be valud and cannot be used to reject a pet request.
- No More ‘No-Pets’ Ads – Ads for rental properties can no longer state that pets aren’t allowed.
- No More ‘No-Grounds’ Evictions – Landlords must give a valid reason to end a tenancy (fixed-term or periodic), backed by supporting documents.
- Longer Notice Periods – Fixed-term tenants must now be given 60–90 days’ notice, depending on the lease length.
- Reletting Restrictions – If a tenancy ends due to sale or renovation, the property cannot be re-let right away unless special approval is granted.
- Fee-Free Rent Payments – Tenants must be offered a fee-free electronic option such as bank transfer, BPAY, and soon, Centrepay.
- Rent Increases Limited – Rent can only be raised once every 12 months, even for renewed leases.
This legislative reform aims to strike a fair balance – offering renters greater stability, and landlords more certainty. Moreover, it outlines clear grounds for landlords and strata communities to ethically and practically manage pet-related concerns.
Visit the NSW Governments website to learn more: nsw.gov.au/rental-reforms
Further Support
Are you a landlord with a strata titled property? Now is the ideal time to get across your rights and responsibilities. TCM Strata is committed to supporting you as these reforms take shape. Do you have any questions about how these changes might affect you? Please reach out to us: info@tcmstrata.com.