By now, most agents have heard about the rental reforms in NSW. 

• Rent increases capped. 

• No-grounds terminations gone. 

• Pets easier to approve. 

Those changes landed between 31 October 2024 and 19 May 2025. At this point, they’re part of the operating environment. 

The conversation has moved on. What matters now isn’t just what changed; it’s what’s happened since, and how closely it’s being watched. 

The baseline is set 

The earlier reforms established the framework. 

From 31 October 2024, rent increases were limited to once per year and upfront tenancy fees were removed. 

From 19 May 2025, the more structural changes took effect. Ending a tenancy generally requires a valid reason. Pet requests became harder to refuse. Bank transfer became a required rent payment option. 

Most agencies have adjusted to this; at least in principle. But understanding the rules is no longer the hard part. 

The shift: from rules to proof 

Where things have tightened is what came next. 

From 20 June 2025, expectations around supporting documentation; particularly for terminations linked to renovations or repairs; became more clearly defined. 

Then from 1 July 2025, NSW Fair Trading introduced mandatory reporting through Rental Bonds Online. When a tenancy ends, agents and landlords must provide information about how and why it ended, within a set timeframe. 

This changes the dynamic. Termination reasons are no longer just internal records. They are visible, structured, and captured at a regulatory level. 

The shift is simple: not just have a reason; be able to demonstrate it. 

March 2026: small change, clear direction 

From 2 March 2026, agents must offer Centrepay as a rent payment option where a tenant chooses to use it. 

Operationally, it’s a straightforward change. Strategically, it reinforces the direction of travel: more standardisation, more accessibility, fewer barriers for tenants. 

Enforcement is no longer background noise 

At the same time, enforcement has stepped up. 

NSW Fair Trading has introduced a dedicated Rental Taskforce, focused on compliance and investigation. Combined with mandatory data collection, there is now far greater visibility on how tenancies are managed; particularly how and why they end. 

That combination matters. Introducing rules is one thing. Monitoring how they are applied is another. 

What this means for agencies 

The earlier reforms set the rules. The more recent changes define how those rules are expected to show up in practice. The common thread is consistency. 

It’s no longer enough to understand the legislation at a high level. The focus is on how reliably those requirements are reflected across day-to-day operations; every property, every tenancy, every team member. 

For Licensees in Charge, that’s where the exposure sits. Not in the reform itself; but in the gap between policy and practice. 

What’s next: advertising is now in scope 

If the first phase focused on tenancy management, the next phase is starting to look at how properties are presented to market. 

In April 2026, the NSW Government introduced a bill that would require disclosure where rental advertising images have been digitally altered in a way that could mislead prospective tenants. 

This includes things like: 

• adding furniture that doesn’t fit the space 

• editing out damage or defects 

• materially changing how a property appears 

At the time of writing, the bill has passed the lower house and is before the upper house. 

It’s not law yet; but the direction is clear. 

The focus is shifting beyond how tenancies are managed, into how properties are marketed; and whether that marketing accurately reflects reality. 

The takeaway 

If you’ve adjusted to the 2024 and early 2025 changes, you’re not done. 

The current phase is about: 

• clearer expectations around documentation 

• structured reporting requirements 

• and more active regulatory oversight 

This is no longer just reform. It’s enforcement. 

This is general information based on recent updates to NSW rental laws and their implementation dates. It’s not legal advice, and requirements can vary depending on individual circumstances. 

For specific guidance, refer to NSW Fair Trading or seek appropriate professional advice.