Mr ALEX GREENWICH (Sydney) (11:31): My question is directed to the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading. Major redevelopment proposals of apartment buildings with low-cost, private rentals in the inner city are seeing tenants intimidated and evicted before development or demolition approval is given. How will the Government protect renters living in buildings proposed for redevelopment?
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields—Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, and Minister for Corrections) (11:31): I thank the member for Sydney for his question and continued advocacy for the thousands of renters in his electorate. I confirm that NSW Fair Trading is actively monitoring the concerns raised by residents in the member's electorate at the Chimes and 160 Oxford Street. As members know, thanks to the Minns Labor Government, renters in New South Wales now have the strongest protections against unfair evictions, which the member for Sydney was talking about. To be clear, the law does allow for landlords to end a tenancy if they want to demolish a property and if the demolition will start within two months after the tenant moves out. The law is also very clear on the supporting evidence that is required to support that as a ground for termination. If those conditions are not met, a renter can enforce their rights and the Rental Taskforce will investigate.
In this particular case, I am advised that NSW Fair Trading has reviewed the termination notices and other supporting documentation across the affected tenancies. I am also advised that the taskforce has engaged directly with affected residents regarding the termination notices and any alleged conduct by the building manager. Property professionals are bound by very clear rules of conduct, and Fair Trading will investigate allegations of any intimidation and bullying by any property service provider. I assure the good member that the Rental Taskforce will continue to monitor the situation, including any evidence of re-letting or substantial delays that impact renters.
The people of New South Wales now have the strongest laws anywhere when it comes to unfair evictions. Gone are the days when a landlord could evict a tenant without a reason. These are now set out in the law. The Minns Labor Government has changed the rental system to give renters, property owners and landlords clarity about their rights and obligations when it comes to terminating a lease. It does not end there. We were elected with a mandate to make renting fairer for New South Wales renters—2.3 million and growing. We have pursued an ambitious reform agenda to deliver on that promise. The changes the Government has made when it comes to rental protections are transformational, not transactional. The Government has done more in under four years than those opposite did in 12. With the help of the member for Sydney, we have done more than just ban no-grounds evictions. We have limited rental increases to just once per year. [Extension of time]
On top of banning no-grounds evictions, we have also banned illegal fees for background checks, guaranteed fee-free ways for people to pay their rent, made it easier for people to have pets in rentals and banned rent bidding. The Government has done more. Our new laws, which are now in effect, also better protect domestic violence victims. We have also passed some of the strongest reforms to safeguard renters' privacy, and we have launched Smart Rental Bonds statewide months ahead of schedule so that every time a renter moves, they can save up to $4,000. Those are practical, impactful reforms that make life so much easier and better for the renters of New South Wales. Those are the kinds of overhauls only a Minns Labor Government can deliver—the Opposition could never deliver them.
Good laws also require good, strong enforcement and compliance. That is why the Rental Taskforce will inspect the properties at the Chimes and 160 Oxford Street. The renters of New South Wales deserve safety and security. Property owners also require clarity and certainty, and that has been delivered. The Government invested $8.4 million in the Rental Taskforce. The results are that it has seen a 95 per cent compliance rate with the ban on no-grounds evictions, recovered more than $180,000 in illegal background check fees for more than 3,000 renters and fined real estate agents more than $50,000. That shows it is working effectively and delivering positive results for the renters of New South Wales and the property market in general. I never get tired of talking about the rental reforms this Government has done. They are transformational, substantial and significant, and have made renting fairer for the people of New South Wales.
