Cold water, and single mixer taps: these can have a maximum flow rate of 9 litres per minute for internal kitchen sinks and bathroom hand basins. Taps for the bathtub, laundry sink, washing machines, dishwasher and outdoor taps are exempt from the 9 litre per minute flow rate requirement
Shower heads: these can have a maximum flow rate of 9 litres per minute
No leaking taps or toilets: there can be no leaking taps or toilets anywhere on the property at the start of the tenancy and whenever the other water efficiency measures are installed, repaired or upgraded.
Passing on water usage costs to tenant: Water usage charges must be billed separately from rent, and landlords must provide a copy of the water bill or another form of evidence Tenants should be given at least 21 days to pay, and charges must not exceed the amount billed by the water provider. More information about the new water charges can be found here
Reforms effective as of Monday 19 May 2025
·Ending no-grounds evictions
Owners will be required to provide a valid reason to end all lease types. There will be longer notice periods that will apply in some cases and tenants who secure a new home after receiving an eviction notice will also have rights to end their lease early (for instance, if they find a new property to rent)
Valid Reasons include:
Proposed sale of the premises (will not be able to release if you don’t sell for 12 months without approval from Fair Trading)
Significant renovations or repairs where the property needs to be vacant
Demolition of the property (will not be able to release if you don’t demolish for 12 months without approval from Fair Trading)
Premises no longer to be used as a rented residential premises for at least 12 months (will not be able to release if you change your mind for 12 months without approval from Fair Trading)
Landlord or family to reside in for at least 6 months.
Expected reforms later this year
Further reforms, including stronger privacy protections for tenants and the introduction of a portable rental bond scheme are expected later in 2025 as are the ability of tenants to be able to use the Federal Governments Centrepay to pay rent from their benefits. Landlords or their agents will need to register and offer this service
We’re here to help
Navigating the ever-evolving landscape of NSW’s rental laws is time is time consuming, and at times confusing, and we’re here to help
We manage any upgrades needed to meet the new water efficiency requirements and we will save you time by doing the separate billing, and managing any queries your tenants may have about water charges.
Furthermore, as members of The Real Estate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW), the peak industry body for real estate agents and property professionals in NSW we do all the training to ensure we are up-to-date with the latest legislation; this means rental agreements, inspections, rent increases, and evictions follow the current laws.
This minimises the risk of legal disputes or penalties that could arise from non-compliance
But keeping your property legal and safe are just one of the many things we manage We carry out regular inspections, arrange maintenance with qualified and registered tradesmen, and maintain good communications with tenants. This gives you time to do the things you want to do, while giving you peace of mind your property is being properly managed and cared for
As well as managing your property, we’re here to give you information to help you make informed decisions We want you to get the best from your asset, and our experienced team, headed up by industry award-winning Kellie Andriessen, makes this happen