Renters in NSW would be able to transfer bond between properties under Labor election proposal
Almost a million renters in New South Wales would be able to transfer their bond from one property to the next and couldn’t be kicked out of their homes without reasonable grounds given, under a plan proposed by state Labor.
The pledge ahead of the 2023 election comes amid soaring rents in Sydney and rising accommodation costs in regional areas, with NSW’s median rent increasing from $386 to $420 a week between 2016 and 2021.
Under Labor’s portable bonds plan, the NSW Rental Board would allow bond to be transferred directly to another property so tenants are not immediately out of pocket when they move.
“Anyone who rents in Sydney knows just how anxious and challenging a process it can be to find suitable accommodation, never mind the significant costs associated with moving,” the Labor leader, Chris Minns, said on Sunday.
Relocation or eviction costs the average renter about $4,000, according to tenants union data.
“This is a sensible cost-of-living measure to help ease the pressure on the over 30% of people in NSW currently renting,” Minns said.
“These changes will create a fairer rental regime in this state by providing greater certainty as well as flexibility for both renters and owners.”
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As part of creating a fairer rental market, Labor is also pushing for tightening the rules for landlords to end a lease for tenants, including minimum notice to vacate a property.
Currently, renters can be evicted after a six or 12-month lease without the landlord having to give a reason.
Renters have no recourse under “no grounds” evictions, even if they have
paid rent on time and been a model tenant.
About one-third of renters will face an eviction at some point through no fault of their own.
Last month, Greens MP Jenny Leong introduced a bill to parliament to abolish the practice.
The Tenants Union of NSW chief executive, Leo Patterson Ross, said last month that evictions without grounds given continued to undermine renters’ ability to maintain a stable home.
Labor’s housing spokesperson, Rose Jackson, said cost-of-living pressures were driving tenants towards not having a roof over their heads.
“There is a direct relationship between our unfair rental laws and increases in housing stress and homelessness,” Jackson said.
She said ending unfair evictions “will provide certainty to the overwhelming majority of tenants who do the right thing that they have a place to call home”.