Renting a place to live in NSW - NSW Fair Trading

Renting a place to live (New South Wales)

NSW Government guidance covers how to start or end a tenancy, how to get repairs done, how to get the bond back, and what to do when things go wrong.

Starting a tenancy: finding and applying for a property, signing a lease, moving in, and completing a condition report. There are minimum standards for rental properties, and rules on advertising and rent bidding. Tenants can log in to Rental Bonds Online to manage their bond.

Smart Rental Bonds is available in NSW: eligible renters moving to a new home may be able to transfer their existing rental bond to the new tenancy instead of paying a new one.

During a tenancy: paying rent, getting repairs done, rent increases, resolving tenancy disputes, evictions and lockouts, connection and supply of electricity, gas and water, and discrimination rules for prospective renters.

Ending a tenancy: giving notice, filling in the condition report, cleaning and repairs, and getting the bond back. This includes ending a tenancy because of domestic violence and abuse, and rules about being listed on a tenancy database.

Help: NSW lists financial support and emergency housing for tenants, including finding emergency accommodation, low-cost housing options, support for tenants during hardship, and financial rental assistance.

Tools: Rent Check shows the median rent range in any NSW postcode, and NSW Fair Trading publishes the forms and sample documents tenants need.

Source: NSW Government - renting a place to live (NSW Fair Trading).