1 week Ago By Carla Mascarenhas
A dramatic shakeup of NSW rental laws will make it easier for renters to have a pet and end compulsory third-party rental apps. Login or signup to continue reading While renters will still have to apply to have a pet in their home it will be easier for this to happen, and they will have more rights, according to new laws to be introduced in parliament in October. One in five animals the RSPCA receive in NSW have been surrendered due to concerns about rental applications.
There will be some situations where owners can refuse a pet such as when it would break another law or if the owner lives in the property and does not want to live with the animal. Also on the cards are new rules that will allow renters to bypass third-party rental apps with extra fees. The government will now require property owners and agents to offer free ways to pay, such as bank transfer and the Commonwealth Government's Centrepay.
The apps, such as Ailo, Rental Rewards or Simply Rent, have been used by agents not only to collect rental payments but also to store tenant data. A survey from Choice in 2023 found 41 per cent of people who rent said they were pressured to use RentTech platforms. Other measures in the October legislation include ending no grounds eviction and axing background checks fees.
The Minns government said the new changes will "modernise" NSW's rental system and bring it into line with other states. READ MORE: Renters still can't keep up, despite more supports Carla Mascarenhas is the NSW correspondent covering breaking news, state politics and investigations. She is based in Sydney.
Contact her on [email protected].
au Carla Mascarenhas is the NSW correspondent covering breaking news, state politics and investigations. She is based in Sydney. Contact her on carla.
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