The NSW Government has provided a funding boost to the Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services to support tenants across NSW.

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.

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 government’s recent passage of a 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.

In addition to these historic new reforms to help tenants across the state, last financial year, NSW Fair Trading 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 annually.

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.

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.

“This is another step forward to get renters a fairer deal.

“This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build a fairer system for renters.”

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

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

“This funding is another example of how the NSW Government is taking action to support renters across the state.”