Major changes are landing for NSW renters and landlords on May 19, 2025. The government is rolling out a set of new NSW rental law changes aimed at making renting fairer and giving tenants stronger protections. These updates follow the Have Your Say consultation and deliver on key election promises.

Here’s a breakdown of the key changes — and what they mean for you.

🚫 Say Goodbye to “No Grounds” Evictions

From May 19, landlords must give a valid reason when ending a lease. The days of “no grounds” terminations are over.

Valid reasons include:

  • The tenant breaches the lease

  • The property is being sold with vacant possession

  • Major repairs, renovations, or demolition are planned

👉 See the full list of valid termination reasons

When ending a lease, landlords must:

  • Issue a termination notice

  • Provide an information statement outlining both party’s rights and responsibilities

  • Include supporting documents depending on the reason

This change increases transparency and helps renters feel more secure in their homes.

🐶 It’s Now Easier to Have Pets in Rentals

Good news for pet lovers — from May 19, landlords can’t blanket-ban pets. They can only refuse based on specific, justifiable reasons, like:

  • The pet would overcrowd the property

  • The home isn’t suitable for that type of animal

  • The landlord lives on-site

  • The pet may cause damage beyond the bond amount

Landlords can also refuse if a pet breaches council laws, strata by-laws, or other legal restrictions.

📝 Landlords and agents can no longer advertise rentals as “no pets allowed.”

💡 Property Managers: With more tenants likely to apply for pets, expect a spike in pet request forms. If you’re using Paperless Office, now’s a great time to turn your pet request form into a quick, interactive online document. See below for an example of one of the pet request forms already in Inspection Express. By using Paperless Office Forms, you’ll be able to get these forms completed by both tenant and landlord easily.

A pet request form for nsw rental law changes

💳 Renters Get More Fee-Free Payment Options

From May 19, landlords must offer bank transfer as a way to pay rent — and it must be fee-free.

Later in 2025, landlords will also need to offer Centrepay as an alternative option.

This gives renters more control over how they pay and protects them from unnecessary transaction fees.

🔗 Stay Informed & Prepared

These updates will change how landlords, agents, and tenants interact — especially around lease terminations, pets, and payments.

📚 Want more details? Head to the NSW Government site for the full breakdown on the new NSW rental law changes:

👉 Read the official NSW rental law changes

Want to talk to our NSW representatives to see how Inspection Express can help your business?

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