A year since the Minns Labor Government banned no-grounds evictions for the first time, renters are experiencing greater security and stronger protections in the rental market.
As part of the Government’s landmark reforms to make renting fairer, landlords have been required to provide a valid reason to end a tenancy since May 2025 – placing a ban on no-grounds evictions.
Prior to these changes, many renters were feeling unable to assert their rights for fear of being evicted, with an estimated 45 per cent of leases ending without a reason given.
That is no longer the case. A landlord can only end a lease if they have a genuine reason that is listed in our rental laws. These new requirements are providing greater transparency for renters and helping to build confidence in the rental market.
Since the Government passed legislation to ban no-grounds evictions a year ago, only around 30 termination matters investigated by the NSW Rental Taskforce were found to be in breach of the new laws. Where non-compliance has occurred, fines totalling $65,450 have been issued.
Compulsory reporting to NSW Fair Trading shows 84 per cent of tenancies are also ending through renters’ choice rather than landlord action.
These changes are having direct and tangible benefits for renters, ensuring they are better informed of their rights and more likely to escalate matters that require intervention by the regulator.
Renters are increasingly seeking information about their rights and reporting potential breaches, with visits to the NSW Government’s rental website increasing tenfold.
The Rental Taskforce complements this support by prioritising compliance and enforcement action against no-grounds evictions, and actively intervening to ensure compliance with the new laws.
Since the Rental Taskforce commenced one year ago, NSW Fair Trading has shifted to a more proactive model, identifying 7,712 rental compliance matters and issuing almost 600 fines so far to the value of nearly $421,650. This represents around 15 times the level of rental compliance activity recorded the year before.
Backed by an $8.4 million investment, the Taskforce is helping renters get advice earlier, resolve issues faster, stay in their homes where possible, and have greater confidence that rental protections are being actively enforced.
These results are part of the Government’s reforms to make renting fairer. The Government has:
- Banned no-grounds evictions.
- Limited rent increases to once a year.
- Ensured renters have fee-free ways to pay rent.
- Banned fees for background checks.
- Made it easier to have pets in rentals.
- Invested $6.6 million to build Smart Rental Bonds an initiative due to be launched in mid-2026 that will help renters save thousands of dollars when moving home.
Renters, landlords and agents are encouraged to report misconduct to NSW Fair Trading by visiting https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/fair-trading/complaints-and-enquiries/housing-and-property or on 13 32 20.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
“Right now, the 2.3 million renters across NSW are feeling the pressure as rising costs and global uncertainty continue to put household budgets under strain.
“That’s why banning no-grounds evictions and stopping renters from facing constant uncertainty was such an important reform. No family or student should have to worry about being forced out of their home without a reason or facing rent increases every few months.
“A year on, these reforms are helping give renters greater security and certainty, so young people and families can focus on getting on with their lives.”
Minister for Housing Rose Jackson said:
“We heard renters when they told us how it felt to live in a state of uncertainty, afraid to ask for a simple repair for fear that it could end with an eviction notice.
“Twelve months ago, we ended a decades-old arrangement that allowed people to be kicked out of their homes for no reason at all.
“We know there’s still more work to do to make improve the system for renters, but this is a solid step in the right direction.”
Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“One year on, it’s clear that the Minns Labor Government is delivering on its promise to make renting fairer.
“After over a decade of inaction from the Liberals and Nationals, renters can finally feel secure knowing they will not be unfairly evicted from their homes.
“These numbers speak for themselves: renters are empowered, and the new laws are working.
“This is all part of the Government’s plan to create a more transparent property market for everyone in NSW.”
NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones said:
“Ending no‑grounds evictions has fundamentally changed the balance in the rental market. A year on, the data shows high compliance with the law and far greater transparency for renters, who can now see clearly why a tenancy is ending and assert their rights with confidence.
“With more than two million people in NSW renting a home it’s pleasing to see they both understand their rights and are being treated fairly.
“Since these landmark reforms were introduced, we’re seeing more renters empowered with the right information and responding proactively increasing compliance against those doing the wrong thing.”
CEO of Committee for Sydney Eamon Waterford said:
“A year ago, we said renters deserve to put down roots. Twelve months on, the third of Sydneysiders who rent can settle their kids in school, get to know their neighbours and raise issues with their landlord without fearing an unfounded eviction notice.
“With renting now the dominant tenure type in Sydney, we need laws that are fit for life, not just a few years.”
“This isn’t just good social policy, it’s smart economic policy. When renters have stability and security, they’re more focused and productive at work. Sydney businesses told us that directly.”