Great news for renters and landlords of the Sutherland Shire! With NSW’s new tenancy laws having come into effect this year, there’s a lot more clarity on some of the most common issues effecting this important relationship.
But what changed, and what do you need to know? We’ve got a quick rundown for you, with notes on how it’ll impact both tenants and property owners.
NSW tenancy law changes 2025: What you need to know
Right, let’s start with the basics. What changed?
- The end of ‘no-grounds’ terminations. Property owners must give a reason for terminating a periodic lease or lease at the end of a fixed term.
- Pets permitted. It’s now easier for tenants to request a pet, and landlords can only refuse on certain specific grounds.
- Limited rent increases. Rent increases have been restricted to once per year.
- No extra fees. It is no longer permitted to charge extra fees to tenants at the start of a tenancy (i.e. for background checks).
- Fee-free rent payments. Tenants must be allowed to pay via free bank transfer. In future, Centrepay will also be a required option if tenants request it.
See the full update on the NSW government’s website.
Not sure how this will impact your agreements? Let us know. Building great relationships between tenants and property owners is what we do, and we’re here to help.
What this means for Sutherland Shire landlords
Next, let’s talk about what you need to think about as a property owner in the Sutherland Shire.
Things may work differently now to how you’re used to. While most of the changes will be small, there are some things to consider:
- Learn the new notice periods for ending a lease.
- Check that the phrase ‘no pets allowed’ is not in the property ads.
- Educate yourself on the accepted grounds for ending a lease.
- Double check that there is a bank transfer as a rent payment option.
Sound like a lot of work? It can be! When you lease with MattBlak instead, we’ll do it all on your behalf.
Understand your rights regarding pets
The NSW government has made it clear that pets should be allowed in a rental home. But you still have rights as a landlord to help you feel more comfortable with that. You can also refuse, under certain conditions.
Basically, your tenants need to keep the place reasonably tidy and minimise damage or nuisance, just like before. The animal should be appropriate for the space and not conflict with any other local regulations.
Learn more about the pet laws here.
Do your best to get compliant
It’s important to know that the NSW government has set up a taskforce to monitor and enforce all these new laws, so they need to be taken seriously. Again, if at any point you’re worried or you’re just not sure, don’t go it alone – we learn these tricky parts so that you don’t have to.
What this means for renters in the Sutherland Shire
NSW’s new tenancy laws have been designed to increase protections for tenants and improve fairness across the rental market. This is excellent for Sutherland Shire renters, who should get a feeling of a bit more freedom in three areas…
1. Pets
We expect most of you will be excited for this law change above all the others.
If you’d like to adopt a fuzzy (or fishy) friend, you can. You’ll need to submit a request in writing to your landlord or property agent, who will then have 21 days to respond, or it’s automatically approved.
Important note: While landlords can’t typically refuse you outright except in certain situations, you do still have responsibilities to keep your home reasonably clean, prevent damage to the property and avoid causing nuisance to others.
2. Fees
Extra fees are gone. Your agent or landlord must offer you a fee-free way to pay your rent and can’t charge for things like background checks or preparing lease agreements during the property search or signing.
3. Concerns
These laws are designed to provide clarity and stimulate discussion about common issues (i.e. pets). There’s also a new enforcing body – the Rental Taskforce, a part of Fair Trading – which oversees this area ensuring everyone complies with the new laws.
They’re a great reminder that it’s OK to raise concerns with your agent or landlord. Better dialogue can often lead to a better relationship.
On that note, it’s also a great reminder to keep good records. If you’re doing your absolute best to look after the place, having a record will help you prove it if there’s ever a dispute in future.
Where to get help
Worried about something, or stuck on a law you’re not sure about? There are loads of places to turn to for help.
For all things related to the management of your property, the paperwork and finding (or communicating with) great tenants, that’s where our team comes in. We take the difficulty out of property management, making compliance look easy. If there’s ever an issue, we can help you solve it.
As for government and legal bodies you can turn to, there are a few…
- NSW Fair Trading can act as a mediator in any small disputes so that they don’t need to go to court.
- The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal can then handle legal matters that escalate beyond mediation.
- Tenant Advocacy Services is for renters who need free legal advice.
For any other questions, contact our team directly here.