Know your rights
Renting in NSW
A plain-English overview of the protections every NSW renter has under the Residential Tenancies Act 2010. Understanding these makes it much easier to raise a problem early — and to know when something has gone genuinely wrong.
Bond
Your bond is your money, held by NSW Fair Trading — not by the landlord or their agent. It is lodged through Rental Bonds Online, and NSW law caps it at four weeks’ rent for most residential tenancies. At the end of a tenancy it must be returned unless the landlord can justify a claim.
Rent increases
Rent cannot be raised whenever the landlord feels like it. Written notice is required, minimum notice periods apply, and there are limits on how often an increase can occur. If you believe an increase is excessive you can challenge it at NCAT.
Entry and privacy
The property is your home. A landlord or agent must give proper notice before entering, and entry is only permitted for specific reasons such as inspections, repairs or showing the property. There are limits on how many routine inspections can occur each year.
Repairs and maintenance
The landlord must keep the property in a reasonable state of repair. Urgent repairs — things like a burst pipe, a serious electrical fault, or a failed essential service — have a faster process, and in some cases you can arrange the repair yourself and be reimbursed.
Ending a tenancy
Both sides must follow the correct process and give the required written notice. A landlord cannot simply remove you without following the law, and only NCAT or the Sheriff can enforce an eviction — never the landlord directly.
Resolving disputes
Most disputes can be raised with NSW Fair Trading first, which offers a free complaint and mediation service. If it cannot be resolved, either party can apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for a binding decision.
Something gone wrong in your tenancy?
If you rent through TenantVoice you can raise a formal complaint against a property or landlord. Complaints are tracked to resolution and help surface repeat problems.