NSW government calls for renters to have their say on reforming rental market

For the first time in years, renters will be given the chance to say what’s wrong with the rental market and how to fix it.

The Minns government has invited renters to share their thoughts on the rental system in NSW.

Pressure for rental reform has reached boiling point in recent months as housing supply shrinks and landlords hike prices in line with soaring interest rates.

Almost one in three people who live in NSW are renters.

The government has opened up an online portal where renters can share their thoughts on the proposed rental reforms either by filling out a quick survey or writing a submission letter.

Fair Trading and Better Regulation Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said renters had been forced to deal with “unfair and outdated rules”.

Renters can share their thoughts on the rental crisis until August 11. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

“Renters are under extreme pressure in a tight market, but they’re also saddled with unfair and outdated rules that make life even harder,” he said.

“We’re getting on with our commitment to rebalance the equation, give renters more protections and let them get on with their lives.”

However, it’s not just renters who will get a say on rental reform, with landlords and property managers also asked to participate in the consultation.

“We want to hear from everyone because renters and owners need each other, and they both need a fair set of rules,” Mr Chanthivong said.

“This consultation will give people across the state a voice on what they think of changes to improve stability and fairness in the current rental environment and into the future.”

The government hopes to gauge how the public feels about some of the key reforms it has devised to bring the rental market into the 21st century and make it fairer for renters.

The consultation process aims to get feedback on proposed rental reform. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Some of these reforms include ending no-grounds evictions by requiring a reason to end a lease, making it easier for renters to have pets, and making it easier to transfer rental bonds from one property to another.

The consultation process does leave the floor open for renters to make their own suggestions on how to improve conditions and “take the pressure off”.

Greens NSW renters’ rights and housing spokeswoman Jenny Leong said the party was glad to see the Labor government’s openness to making renting more affordable and secure but the proposed reforms didn’t go far enough.

Landlords and property managers have also been invited to take part. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“Ending unfair, no-grounds evictions and allowing pets in rentals are long-overdue reforms that would give renters desperately needed security,” she said.

“But we need to ensure that no-grounds evictions are ended for all renters on all leases – including renters at the end of a fixed-term lease.”

The Greens have been pushing for a rental freeze to provide renters with protection against extreme price increases at the whim of landlords.

“A consultation paper won’t pay the rent and renters are in crisis right now,” Ms Leong said.

“We need to freeze on rent increases for as long as these reforms take to be considered.”

Greens MP for Newtown Jenny Leong is calling for a rent freeze. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The Greens’ Emergency Rent Freeze Bill is already before the parliament and they believe it could be put in place within a month if it is supported by Labor.

“Any action on excessive rent increases needs to include longer-term rent controls to ensure we are bringing down the record-high rent costs and actually making renting affordable,” Ms Leong said.

“The Greens want to make unlimited rent increases illegal, establish rent caps and put hard limits on the amount and frequency of rent increases.”

Labor’s rental reforms are expected to be introduced to parliament by the end of the year.

Residents can have their say on the NSW government website until August 11.