The NSW Government has launched a dedicated Rental Taskforce to enforce new rental reforms aimed at holding landlords and real estate agents accountable. With an $8.4 million investment, the taskforce will focus on improving compliance in the rental market and tackling law violations.

Key priorities of the Rental Taskforce include:

• Ending solicited rent bidding
• Implementing reforms to prevent no grounds evictions
• Ensuring better responses to repairs and maintenance requests

The taskforce will also work on the launch of a Portable Rental Bond Scheme later this year to offer cost-of-living relief to renters.

Trina Jones, the NSW Rental Commissioner, oversees the taskforce, which will conduct inspections, audits, and compliance blitzes. The initiative is part of the Government's most significant rental reforms in over a decade.

Some of the key rental law changes incude:

• Background checks: Renters can no longer be charged for background checks or preparing tenancy agreements.
• Rent increases: Rent can only increase once a year for all leases starting 31 October 2024.
• End of tenancy: Landlords must provide a valid reason to end a lease, such as selling the property or needing it for renovations.
• Notice periods: Notice for fixed-term leases will increase to 60 days for leases under six months, and 90 days for those over six months.
• Pets in rentals: Renters can request to keep pets, and landlords must respond within 21 days. Denial can only occur under specific conditions.
• Rent payment: Rent must be paid electronically without additional fees, offering more flexible payment methods.

For more information on changes to NSW rental laws, visit the NSW Fair Trading website.