A Minns Labor Government will make the rental system safer and fairer for tenants by introducing new data protection requirements for real estate agents, reviewing the role of NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) in rental disputes, and providing additional funding for tenant advocacy services.

One in three New South Wales households are now renters. But that number is on the increase, as rising house prices and stagnant wages continue to make owning your own home increasingly difficult.

Renters provide a wider range of documents than ever before, including identity documents such as driver’s licences, years of work and rental history, and bank statements. This is an increasing cybersecurity risk, with little regulation about how this data is stored and protected.

NSW Labor will work with Fair Trading, renters, and industry to develop a system that allows legitimate data to be collected to verify rental applications but protects renters against potential data breaches.

Applications to NCAT can be a long and expensive process, and decisions made by the tribunal can be inconsistent. NSW Labor will conduct a review of the application process, case resolutions and hearing proceedings.

NCAT should be an accessible and transparent process to help renters and property owners resolve issues or disputes.

We will also provide an additional $1 million for tenancy advocacy services to help ensure the crucial services continue to operate and families are supported through tough times.

The Liberals and Nationals have had 12 years to provide improved protections for renters, but instead they have sidelined and ignored them. 
 
Labor’s plans build on our comprehensive renter’s package, which is aimed at reducing upfront costs and ensuring fairness for renters, while also providing certainty to mum and dad investors. 
 
Labor’s plan to make renting fairer and more affordable includes:

• Establishing a NSW Rental Commissioner to be an advocate and voice for renters, working closely with both renters and owners, along with government and stakeholders;
• Introducing a portable bonds scheme to help relieve some of the cost pressures of moving homes by allowing renters to transfer their bond from one property to another;
• Introducing reasons for eviction;
• Banning secret rent bidding to ensure more transparency for renters;
• Increasing housing supply by looking at transport land holdings close to public transport; 
• Targeting 30 per cent social, affordable, and universal housing on surplus public land, including an audit of all available public land close to Metro stations and infrastructure, and 
• Longer-term five year funding arrangements for key community services – including tenancy advocacy and support services.

Quotes attributable to Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader:

“For too long the rental market has been stacked against renters. Only NSW Labor has a plan to make renting fairer and more affordable.

“Anyone who rents in Sydney knows just how anxious and challenging a process it can be to find suitable accommodation, never mind the fear of having your data breached.

“These are sensible changes which will help give renters the peace of mind they need.”

Quotes attributable to Michael Daley, NSW Shadow Attorney General:

“NCAT is not working as well as it could be, particularly for renters and people with strata disputes. 

“It takes too long, it can be drawn out and expensive and people are ignoring its orders. 

“We need to review NCAT to ensure it operates more fairly and efficiently and to change processes so that, for example, renters and owners have easier access to mediation and arbitration.”

Quotes attributable to Courtney Houssos, NSW Shadow Minister for Better Regulation & Innovation:

“For 12 years, this Liberal-National Government has sidelined and ignored renters. 

“NSW Labor understands renters are under increasing pressure and have a clear plan to address the crisis.

“We understand the need to verify data for rental applications, but it should not mean people run the risk of having their personal details exposed on the internet.

“We will also provide additional funding for the important work our tenancy advocacy services provide renters.”
CHRIS MINNS MP
NSW LABOR LEADER

MICHAEL DALEY MP
NSW SHADOW ATTORNEY GENERAL

COURTNEY HOUSSOS MLC 
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR BETTER REGULATION & INNOVATION