Renters in NSW could soon have the right to have pets enshrined in law.
Labor NSW, which holds the state’s government majority, says it’s finalising a suite of measures to be introduced to parliament next month aimed at modernising the state’s rental system.
Targeted consultation with key stakeholders officially ended on Friday 20 September 2024, with the RSPCA revealing one in five animals they receive in NSW has been surrendered as a result of concerns about rental applications.
Domestic violence organisations have also reported concern for victim-survivors getting out of dangerous homes.
Finding secure housing where pets are allowed has been cited as a major barrier to safety.
Renters will still need to apply to have pets under the proposed changes but owners won’t be allowed to refuse the request without a valid reason recognised by the regulations.
Valid reasons include the presence of pets breaking another law or if the owner lives in the property and doesn’t want to live with the animal.
Fee-free rent payments; transparency on rent actually paid
Other changes to be introduced next month include the mandatory right for renters to pay their rent without incurring extra fees.
‘You don’t pay additional fees every time the mortgage comes out, and you shouldn’t have to pay to pay the rent,’ Premier Chris Minns said as part of Labor’s announcement Monday morning.
Other changes include the launch of an online system developed by the NSW Rental Commissioner that compares up-to-date weekly rents using rental bond data.
It’s called Rent Check and the government says it’s aimed at greater transparency of the rental market.
Some online real estate apps and websites offer similar data but rely only on advertised rent prices as opposed to actual rent paid.
‘There are 2.2 million renters across the state and we’re getting on with the job to create a more modern rental market that works for property owners and renters alike,’ said Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong.
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