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The state’s 2024–25 budget will include an $8.4 million rental taskforce to crack down on “bad behaviour from dodgy agents and owners”.
The taskforce, set to be one of the largest teams within NSW Fair Trading, will support the work of rental commissioner Trina Jones following her appointment in August 2023.
Under the commissioner’s leadership, the rental taskforce will be given a mandate to crack down on substandard rental properties. It will also conduct targeted inspections and work with Fair Trading to act on breaches of rental laws.
Jones stated that the taskforce “is an essential part of the work towards achieving a fair, quality and affordable rental market”.
“The taskforce made up of specialists will support our work across Fair Trading to better enforce rental laws and bolster public confidence in the state’s rental protections,” she said.
“We are listening to the needs and concerns of renters, landlords and industry, and working together to create a better renting experience in NSW.”
NSW is one of a number of states that have taken measures to address the growing number of poor-quality rentals that have burgeoned amid the housing crisis.
Last year, a survey found that 1.7 million rental households – or 59 per cent of all renters – have excused a serious issue in order to secure a home, including property damage, local crime rates and mould.
The Victorian government recently established a taskforce to crack down on rental law breaches – such as failing to meet minimum standards – while Western Australia established a blanket ban on the widely criticised practice of rental bidding.
Anoulack Chanthivong, NSW Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, noted: “We’re in a housing crisis in NSW and bad players can make things even worse for renters.
“The last 12 months has laid the foundation for future reform, and the NSW budget paves the way to implementing change.”
“This investment means renters in NSW can be confident we’re moving forward with fairer rules that can be enforced,” he said.
