Important changes to rental laws in 2025. A guide for property providers and renters.

In the ever-evolving space of property laws there have been many significant changes to tenancy laws around Australia since mid-2024. Below is a summary of some of the key rental reform changes that have already been implemented and those expected to take effect in early 2025. 

These changes incorporate everything from the abolition of ‘no grounds’ evictions in several states, greater flexibility for pet owners, caps to fees, extension of notice periods and more.  

Rental reforms by state  

Read below for a rundown of what some of the changes include for each state, implemented since 1 July 2024:  

 New South Wales rental reforms 

• Closing existing loopholes by limiting rent increases to once every 12 months. 

• Prohibiting extra fees at the start of a tenancy, including charges for background checks and for preparing a tenancy agreement. 

Upcoming changes expected in early 2025 

• Ending ‘no grounds’ terminations for renters, requiring property providers to give valid reasons to end a lease.  

• Making it easier for pet owners in rental properties. 

• Ensuring renters have fee-free payment options. 

• Giving renters greater notice periods for lease termination. 
• Implementation of mandatory dual flush toilet systems in rental properties to enhance water efficiency. 

Queensland rental reforms 

• Ensuring renters have fee-free payment options  

Upcoming changes effective from 1 May 2025 

• Allowing renters greater time to prepare for property inspections or maintenance visits with extended notice periods (extended from 24 to 48hrs) 

• Balancing needs of property providers to show a property with the renters right to privacy by limiting to entry to 1-2 times per week, once a notice to leave or notice of intention to leave has been issued.  

• Standardising Rental Application Forms and better verification of identity, protecting tenant privacy and ensuring a fair application process.  

• Mandating disclosure of any financial benefits received from third party rent payment. 

• Giving renters the ability to make minor modifications to properties with appropriate approval. 

• Ensuring fairness and compliance through regulation of break lease and reletting fees 
• Regulating the handling of personal information in line with data protection standards. 

Victoria rental reforms 

• Introduction of a Short-Stay Accommodation Levy to help address housing shortages by encouraging property owners to offer homes for long-term rentals.  

• Implementing minimum rental standards to ensure better security conditions for renters 

• Mandating energy and water efficiencies for properties. 

• Ending ‘no grounds’ terminations for renters, requiring rental providers to give valid reasons to end a lease.  

• Preventing unreasonable fees charged to tenants for breaking lease agreements early. 
• Eliminating unreliable bond claims with new evidence requirements. 

Western Australia rental reforms  

• Limiting rent increases to once every 12 months. 

• Providing greater flexibility for pet owners. 

• Giving renters the ability to make minor modifications to properties with property provider approval. 

South Australia rental reforms 

• Putting an end to ‘no grounds’ terminations for renters, requiring property providers to give valid reasons to end a lease. 

• Providing renters extended notice periods to prepare when a fixed term tenancy is terminated. 

• Making it easier for pet owners in rental properties. 

• Giving renters the ability to make minor modifications to properties with property provider approval. 

• Implementing minimum rental standards to ensure better security and conditions for renters. 

• Capping routine inspections to four per year, protecting renters’ right to privacy. 

• Better protection of renter's right to privacy by banning photos and videoing of personal possessions inside properties. 
• Greater protection of renter's personal information and data. 

Tasmania rental reforms 

• Facilitating on-site living arrangements directly tied to employment contracts by reducing red-tape and providing greater flexibility for workers and employers seeking accommodation in the agricultural sector.  

*note: this is not an exhaustive list of all rental reforms in every state 

What do these changes mean? 

The aim of these new laws is to protect and improve security and fairness for renters, ensuring greater transparency in the rental process.  

These reforms focus on providing greater flexibility and helping to balance renter protection while keeping property ownership viable for property providers.  

Most of the pending changes will take effect in early 2025, once supporting regulations are finalised. Contact your local Hockingstuart office today if you require any further information or expert advice on these reforms and how they may affect you.