Starting a lease
When your rental application is accepted, you will usually need to sign a lease, pay a rental bond, and complete a condition report for the property.
Rental laws are changing in NSW.
New laws to limit rent increases to once per year and to prevent extra charges at the start of a tenancy started on 31 October 2024. Other changes, including requiring landlords to give a reason to end a tenancy and making it easier to keep pets in rental homes will be changing in 2025.
If your rental application is accepted, the landlord or agent will usually ask you to:
- sign a lease, also known as a residential tenancy agreement
- pay a rental bond
- pay up to 2 weeks' rent in advance
- complete and return the condition report within 7 days of signing the lease.
The lease is a legal document that outlines all the rules and conditions of your stay at the property.
It is important that you read and fully understand the lease and all other documentation before signing.