Major changes for Mosman and North Sydney renters: Here’s what you need to know.

By ALLANAH SCIBERRAS

Significant changes have come into effect for millions of renters, with new rules on evictions and tenant rights regarding pet ownership now in place.

Landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without good cause, marking the end of no-grounds evictions, a reform designed to provide security for millions of renters.

The reform came into effect on Monday, alongside two other key changes introduced under the NSW government’s latest rental laws.

Premier Chris Minns described the changes as significant, saying it brings the “rental market into the 21st century”.

“These are sensible reforms. With more than two million renters in NSW and over 600,000 investors, we have taken the time to get these major changes right,” he says.

The reforms, announced in March, have been labelled a win for the economy, promising better prospects for young workers in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

Tenants will also be able to apply for a pet, with owners only able to refuse the request for specific reasons, such as the owner living at the property.

Approval will be automatic if owners do not respond to pet applications within 21 days.
Owners and agents must also provide certain fee-free rent payment methods such as direct bank transfers to renters.

Housing minister Rose Jackson believes the reforms are the biggest step forward for renters in a generation.

“These reforms recognise that pets are part of people’s families,” she said.

“Renters shouldn’t have to choose between a place to live and keeping their companion animal. These changes put common sense into the rental system and end the blanket ban on pets.”

Victoria recently passed similar laws in March, which included a complete ban on evictions without a reason.

South Australia and the ACT have already banned no-grounds evictions for both periodic and fixed-term tenancies, while Queensland and Tasmania have put a stop to only the latter.

Western Australia and the Northern Territory allow no-grounds evictions for all tenancies.