Agency Practice

Changes to NSW rental laws

👓 1 minute read

Rent increases are now limited to once every 12 months, regardless of the lease type. Rent also cannot be increased within the first 12 months of a tenancy.

This means all renters in NSW will be covered by the same rules. However, if a fixed-term lease of less than 2 years started before 31 October 2024 and included terms for rent increases, those terms will still apply until the lease ends or is renewed.

Renters also cannot be charged fees when searching for, applying or starting a tenancy, other than the following:

• Holding fee: maximum of 1 week’s rent (credited to your rent if you sign the lease)
• Rent: payment for the first rent period
• Rental bond: maximum of 4 weeks’ rent (paid through Rental Bonds Online)
• If it is a fixed term agreement of 3 or more years: fee for registering the lease with NSW Land Registry Services.

This means landlords and agents cannot charge renters other fees, including for:

• Background checks
• Preparing the lease agreement
• Property viewings
• Initial keys or access devices
• Pet bonds
• Any other fees or charges.

This rule applies whether or not someone has applied for the property or signed a rental agreement.

Prepare for CPD changes in QLD ahead of June 2025 deadline

👓 30 second read

From 6 June 2025, all real estate agents, property managers, auctioneers and business brokers must complete two approved CPD sessions annually to maintain licences and registrations.

Your CPD year is based on the date your licence or registration was issued. This means your CPD year is specific to you. Any CPD you complete before your first CPD year starts won't count towards your mandatory requirements.

A calculator is available on this page to work out your first CPD year. You will also find information about Type 1 and 2 CPD sessions.

Complete ban on 'no reason' evictions

👓 10 second read

‘No reason’ or ‘no fault’ evictions are now written into law in Victoria, under the Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Bill 2024, which comes into effect in November 2025. More information here...

NSW rental water efficiency measures, in force from Sunday 23 March

👓 20 second read

Don’t forget, all NSW rental properties must comply with water efficiency measures from this Sunday. If a landlord wishes to charge a renter for water usage, the rental property must have compliant shower heads, cold water, single mixer taps in the kitchen and bathroom hand basins, and toilets – which must be dual flush and have a minimum 3-star WELS rating.

NSW Continued Professional Development due 30 June

👓 1 minute read

If you’re a strata, real estate or stock and station agent licensee, have you completed or registered for your mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for 2024-25? 

There are only a few months left until the end of the CPD year on 30 June and courses with approved providers fill up fast.

All property licensees must complete at least 5 hours of CPD training, including 4 compulsory topics – more if you hold multiple licences. Penalties apply for licensees who fail to complete the CPD requirements.

For more information on the CPD requirements and a list of approved providers, visit the CPD Requirements webpage.

Tools and tips, at your fingertips

👓 10 second read

There are a wealth of resources at your fingertips at First National, but that sometimes makes it easy to forget where to access these handy resources quickly.

Jump onto FN Central and you’ll find a grab bag of eBooks covering:

• Events and campaigns
• Product guides and how to’s
• Utopia guides and updates