The Minns Labor Government’s latest suite of rental reforms to protect victim-survivors of domestic and family violence are now in effect.
The Minns Labor Government’s latest suite of rental reforms to protect victim-survivors of domestic and family violence are now in effect.
The new laws make it easier for victim-survivors to leave a rental property, recover their share of the rental bond from co-tenants, not be held responsible for damage caused by domestic and family violence and better protect their privacy.
Supporting victim-survivors’ safety in rentals
Under the new laws, victim-survivors no longer need to notify people they share a lease with that they are leaving the rental property. To remove this dangerous and stressful obligation from victim-survivors, a landlord or agent will instead be responsible for notifying other co-tenants that a victim-survivor is ending their lease after they have safely left the property.
Additionally, victim-survivors now have broader rights to change locks without landlord consent to better ensure their safety. This applies when a tenant reasonably believes locks must be changed to prevent them being subject to domestic abuse.
Empowering victim-survivors in rental homes
Financial independence is front and centre of the reforms, with new laws offering an easier pathway
for victim-survivors to recover their share of the rental bond from any co-tenants. This includes improved protections against being held liable for property damage caused by domestic violence which can keep people trapped in harm’s way.
New rules are also in effect to protect the privacy of victim-survivors by requiring renters to be asked for permission to publish any images or videos of the interior or exterior of the property that show their belongings.
The changes also crack down on unfair tenancy database listings by strengthening the existing ban on listing victim-survivors and introducing a simpler process to remove incorrect entries.
These reforms follow extensive consultation with more than 400 individuals and 40 organisations, including frontline domestic violence support services, legal centres, housing providers and industry representatives.
The list of approved people who can declare that a renter is experiencing domestic and family violence has also been expanded, making it easier for victim-survivors to break their lease without penalty. The expanded list will help vulnerable groups such as people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people from non-English speaking backgrounds have better access to protections.
Reforms better protecting victim-survivors are one of the key changes the Government has made to make renting fairer. The Government has:
- Banned no-grounds evictions.
- Limited rent increases to once a year.
- Ensured renters have fee-free ways to pay rent.
- Banned fees for background checks.
- Made it easier to have pets in rentals.
- Launched Smart Rental Bonds statewide, allowing every renter in NSW to digitally transfer their bond between properties.
For more information on these reforms, please visit Tenant protections for domestic violence and abuse in a rental property
Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“No one should have to live in an unsafe home because of unfair rental laws.
“These reforms deliver on the Minns Labor Government’s promise to make renting fairer by replacing unsafe, outdated laws with practical, compassionate protections which put victim-survivors first.
“This is an important moment for the victim-survivors and advocates who made these reforms possible – thank you for your tireless work and commitment.”
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
“The Minns Labor Government has sent a clear message to victim-survivors that we have heard you, and we support you.
“These reforms prioritise the safety of women and children escaping abuse, making sure they can remain in their rentals if they want to, or leave without their safety being compromised and facing a financial penalty.
“We thank the victim-survivors, advocates and organisations whose insights have made these regulations possible and will continue to work with them as we build a safer New South Wales for everyone.”
NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones said:
“We’ve worked closely with frontline services, industry experts and people with lived experience to ensure these regulations work, so that the reforms provide the best support for victim survivors.
“These reforms are focused on removing barriers that can place people at risk, making the rental system safer and fairer for those who need it most.”
NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin said:
“Access to safe and affordable housing is a critical issue for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. Too often, leaving an abusive relationship is not only difficult but also dangerous. Rental laws that prioritise victim-survivor safety can play an important role in supporting renters to escape violence and find alternative accommodation.
“These new laws should enable more victim-survivors to leave a rental property, recover their share of the rental bond from co-tenants, avoid being held responsible for damage caused by domestic and family violence, and better protect their right to privacy.”
Domestic Violence NSW Deputy Ceo Pia Birac said:
“When leaving violence, victim-survivors are already in crisis. They shouldn’t have to navigate unnecessary paperwork, prove the details of their abuse to strangers, or risk their safety just to leave a tenancy and find a safe home. These reforms remove some of the practical barriers that can make it harder for women to leave violence and rebuild their lives. One less barrier, one less disclosure, one less risk.
“Now we need to build awareness and understanding of these new protections so women can confidently exercise their rights and the professionals around them can support them every step of the way.”
Shelter NSW CEO John Engeler said:
“Shelter NSW commends these further rounds of rental reforms aimed at protecting vulnerable renters. This shows the Government sees houses as a safe haven from harm, as well as a home.
“The Minns Government is to be commended on these significant, practical, and ongoing rental reforms. It shows that they see houses not just as property, but as places that real people live. It is clear that concern, protection, and support to make housing secure is at the centre of these reforms.
“This is a welcome addition to the Government’s bigger suite of rental reforms that show that the NSW rental housing system is one that is well-run, responsive, and properly resourced.”
