Victim-survivors of domestic violence in New South Wales will now have stronger rights to leave unsafe rental homes and protect their privacy, following the passage of new tenancy laws through state parliament this week.
Under the reforms, victim-survivors will no longer be required to notify co-tenants when ending a lease.
Instead, landlords or managing agents will handle the notification after the victim-survivor has safely left the property.
The changes also expand the right to change locks without landlord consent and tighten rules around the publication of property photos or videos that could reveal personal belongings.
The laws introduce greater financial protections too, including simpler processes to recover rental bonds, protection from being held liable for damage caused by domestic violence, and a stronger ban on unfair tenancy database listings.
Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said the new framework was long overdue.
“For too long, rental laws didn’t reflect the realities facing domestic violence victim-survivors across New South Wales,” he said.
“This is about removing barriers that have kept people trapped in unsafe living situations and replacing them with practical, compassionate protections which put safety first.”
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said the reforms would help ensure safety no longer comes at the cost of housing security.
“These reforms make sure victim-survivors won’t have to choose between safety and a home,” she said.
NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones said the measures were designed to give victim-survivors clarity and confidence to act quickly.
“These laws mean victim-survivors can protect themselves and their families without worrying about unfair costs or privacy risks,” she said.
The reforms follow extensive consultation by NSW Fair Trading, which engaged more than 400 individuals and 40 organisations in reviewing existing domestic violence rental provisions.
