New domestic violence rental laws take effect as vacancy rates hit record lows

RENTAL vacancy rates across NSW remain critically low, deepening the housing crisis and leaving tenants competing for limited homes.

New analysis from the Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW) shows that in September, many regions recorded vacancy rates below two percent.

The Mid-North Coast sat at 1.6 percent, by comparison Coffs Harbour is at 1.5 percent, and the Central Coast is at 1.4 percent.

With the deepening crisis, the NSW Government introduced numerous new tenancy laws this year to improve fairness and safety for renters.

More recently, new laws were introduced to strengthen protections for tenants who are victim-survivors of domestic violence.

NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones, said the reforms were designed to make a real difference.

“These reforms give victim-survivors the confidence and clarity they need to leave unsafe homes without fear or financial penalty,” she said.

“We’ve worked closely with frontline services and the community to make sure these changes are practical and life changing.

“These laws mean victim-survivors can act quickly to protect themselves and their families without worrying about unfair costs or privacy risks.”

Under the new laws, victim-survivors will not need to notify co-tenants when leaving a property for safety reasons.

Landlords and agents must handle that communication after the tenant has left.

Victim-survivors can now change locks without consent and have improved rights to recover their bond and avoid liability for damage caused by domestic violence.

Additional changes to tenancy reforms earlier this year also improve fairness and safety for renters.

Landlords are now required to provide a lawful reason to end a lease, with “no grounds” evictions being phased out.

Tenants have greater rights to keep pets and must be offered rent payment options, and landlords are required to provide evidence if they ask tenants to leave for major repairs or renovations.

NSW Fair Trading has been collecting data on why tenancies end through Rental Bonds Online.

It has created a new Rental Taskforce with dedicated inspectors and compliance officers.

By Sis HIGGINS