NSW boosts tenants advice by $1m a year

The NSW state government is to boost funding for tenancy advice services which will be good news for apartment renters who make up more than half of the strata community.

And it should also be encouraging for the similarly substantial numbers of investors who should be able to avoid unnecessary disputes when new tenancy laws come into effect next year.

This week the government announced it is boosting support for tenants across NSW with additional funding for Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services.

The network of 21 local not-for-profit organisations, help tenants to understand their rights, support them during negotiations and in resolving disputes, and assist and advocate for them at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Flat Chat frequently refers landlords and tenants alike to the advice services as that’s the easiest way for both sides of a dispute to know exactly what their rights and responsibilities are

Funded by NSW Fair Trading, these services will be boosted by $1 million extra a year until 2028. In 2024-25, funding has increased to $16.2m.

The funding boost follows the recent passage of what the state government calls “the most significant rental reform package to assist renters in over a decade”. The new reforms will:

• Ban no grounds evictions;
• Limit rent increases to only one per year;
• Make it easier to have pets in rentals;
• Ensure fee-free ways to pay rent; and
• Ban renters paying for background checks.

“We welcome this additional funding which will make it easier for renters to seek the expert, free advice, and practical advocacy that the Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Program provides, said Leo Patterson Ross, Chief Executive Officer of the Tenants Union of NSW.

“This funding increase will ensure services can continue to provide the same high quality advice we have for the past 30 years.

“Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Services are an important part of resolving disputes fairly. We help ensure renters know where they stand and help avoid prolonged disputes and unnecessary tribunal applications.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the NSW Government to cover funding needs that have emerged with the growing renting population and as important tenancy reforms come into effect.”

Last financial year, NSW Fair Trading says it responded to 393,000 rental enquiries. Where tenants required greater help, they could access the free assistance of a local Tenants Advice & Advocacy Service.

The network responds to around 30,000 requests a year for tenancy advice from renters in private and social housing, boarders, lodgers, and land lease community residents.

The service also provides ongoing assistance to approximately 10,000 tenants every year.

Minister for Fair Trading and Better Regulation Anoulack Chanthivong said: “NSW has millions of renters who come from diverse backgrounds and communities spread right across the state.

“The Tenants Advice & Advocacy Service provides local support through a network of highly-skilled  advocates who work to ensure quality advice and advocacy is available to all renters in NSW.

“The funding boost will mean the services can reach even more renters and keep this critical information service free.

He added that this was another step forward to get renters a fairer deal.

“This funding will provide critical support to the millions of people renting in NSW,”said NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones.

“The tenant advice program supports people in their own communities helping Fair Trading to increase our reach and support for renters.”

More information about the Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services can be found here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/tenants-advice-and-advocacy-program