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‘Significant damage’: NSW landlords warned of increased scrutiny in watchdog crackdown
The NSW government has put landlords on notice that they will face increased scrutiny over rental law breaches, as the state's consumer watchdog ramps up enforcement against unlawful evictions, rent increases and failures to undertake repairs.
NSW Fair Trading has revealed its top areas for enforcement and compliance in 2026–2027, with the rental and property sectors topping the list for scrutiny.
The watchdog said it would be committed to enforcing the law and taking decisive action against harmful conduct to protect consumers and ensure a fair marketplace.
Property and strata
Property will be one of the key areas of focus, with particular emphasis on agents’ misconduct in property transactions and unlawful behaviour in strata schemes.
It comes as the state will soon roll out new disclosure laws requiring agents to share a sale price or price guide when advertising in a bid to stamp out underquoting.
Fair Trading said property transactions were some of the most significant financial decisions people made, but effective compliance helped protect the safety, value and liveability of people's homes.
In addition, the body has pledged to crack down on deficient strata management and owners’ corporations who fail to meet maintenance obligations, which undermines confidence in the industry.
It will continue enforcing compliance with legislative requirements and supporting consumers, industry and owners corporations to understand their rights and responsibilities.
“Through education, engagement, compliance and enforcement activities, we work to strengthen confidence in the property and strata sectors,” it said.
Rentals
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In 2027, the watchdog will also ramp up its compliance in the rental sector, including cracking down on unlawful rental practices and ensuring safe living for tenants.
Fair Trading said it will double down on monitoring no-grounds evictions, ensuring rent increases are limited to once per year, and enabling access to fee-free rent payment options.
Further, it will continue to uphold renters’ rights by continuing to scrutinise failures to carry out repairs in rental properties, and support the chance for tenants to keep and own pets.
According to the regulator, low vacancy rates and cost of living pressures had created a highly competitive market where renters had fewer choices and may be more vulnerable to poor practices and dangerous living conditions.
“Our Compliance and Enforcement Priorities respond to issues of greatest harm and risk in the rental sector and are supported by the Rental Taskforce, which focuses on preventing and acting on breaches of rental laws,” it said.
NSW Fair Trading commissioner, Natasha Mann, said the priorities were designed to address conduct undermining consumer confidence, creating unfair market outcomes and causing significant damage.
“NSW Fair Trading will continue to actively combine education, engagement, compliance activities and enforcement action to improve outcomes for consumers and support a fair marketplace for everyone,” Mann said.
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