- Big change coming for NSW renters
- ‘No ground’ evictions to be abolished
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said new laws to abolish no-cause evictions would give renters in the state “the opportunity to build a home and a life on more secure ground” as record-low vacancy rates continue to rise.
The laws, announced Saturday, would end the right of landlords to terminate a lease “at any time or (without) any reason”, requiring them to provide “sound or reasonable grounds” instead.
The prime minister said the changes would ensure that “bad tenants” could still be evicted and that landlords would be protected from bad behaviour, while giving the state’s rapidly growing group of renters more peace of mind.
“Anyone who rents a home in NSW knows how exciting and challenging renting can be at the moment,” Mr Minns said.
‘We’ve all seen the lines of hundreds of people waiting to view new properties on Saturday mornings.’
‘We believe this reform strikes the right balance. More importantly, it gives both homeowners and tenants greater certainty and peace of mind, so they can build their homes and lives on more stable ground.’
According to the New South Wales government, around 33 percent of the population is renting, an increase of a whopping 17.6 percent since 2016. Worse still, the average rent has increased by around 7 percent in the past 12 months.
Under the proposed changes, these tenants would be protected from unwarranted evictions on periodic or fixed-term leases. Instead, landlords would have to prove that the tenant breached a lease or damaged property.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns says new laws aimed at ending groundless evictions will allow the state’s renters to “build a home and life on more secure ground” as record-low vacancy rates continue to rise (stock image)
The laws, announced on Saturday, seek to end the right of landlords to terminate a lease “at any time or (without) any reason”, instead requiring them to give “common sense or reasonable cause” (stock image)
Other reasons may include: if rent is not paid, if the property is sold or undergoes major renovation or repair, if the use changes, and if the tenant no longer qualifies for an affordable housing program.
Minister for Youth and Housing Rose Jackson said the proposed changes, an election promise of the current Labor government, would help create a fairer rent system, which is “critical to rebuilding our housing system.”
“For too long, renters have faced unprecedented levels of uncertainty, making it harder to find jobs, raise families and develop community connections,” Ms. Jackson said.
“Tenants who do the right thing — pay their rent, take care of their homes — shouldn’t be stuck in a constant limbo with the possibility of a no-cause eviction looming around the corner. They deserve more certainty, and ending no-cause evictions is an important first step.”
The New South Wales government said the changes brought the state “in line with other states” including the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Victoria, where state governments have already introduced their own models to end groundless evictions.