Rent Increase Notice New South Wales
New South Wales requires a minimum 60 days written notice for any rent increase, and rent can only be increased once every 12 months per property.
NSW rent-increase rules at a glance
- Minimum notice
- 60 days
- Frequency cap
- Once per 12 months
- Prescribed form
- Recommended: NSW Fair Trading rent increase template
- Dispute body
- NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT)
Statutory source: Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW), s.41
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How NSW rent increases work
Rent increase rules in New South Wales are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 and enforced by NSW Fair Trading. The 31 October 2024 amendments tightened the rules: increases are now capped at one per 12 months per property (not per tenancy), preventing landlords from resetting the clock with a new tenant.
What the notice MUST include
- Tenant name(s) and rental property address
- Current rent and proposed new rent (per week)
- Effective date of the increase (must be at least 60 days from service)
- Date the notice is served and how (e.g. in person, post, email)
- Landlord or agent name and signature
NSW-specific quirks
From 31 October 2024 NSW reforms, rent can be increased no more than once every 12 months per PROPERTY (not per tenancy). A new tenant does not reset the 12-month clock - if the previous tenant got an increase 9 months ago, the new tenant cannot be increased for another 3 months.
Fixed-term vs periodic agreements
During a fixed-term agreement of less than 2 years, rent can only be increased if the agreement specifies the new rent or method of calculation. Fixed-term agreements of 2+ years follow the standard 60-day notice rule.
Common landlord mistakes in NSW
- Serving 30 days notice (NSW requires 60)
- Resetting the 12-month clock with a new tenant - the cap is property-based
- Failing to specify the effective date in writing
- Forgetting to record how and when the notice was served (proof of service is critical at NCAT)
Common questions
Can a landlord increase rent in the first 12 months in NSW?
No. Rent cannot be increased in the first 12 months of a tenancy, and from October 2024, no more than once every 12 months per property thereafter.
What if the rent increase is excessive?
The tenant can apply to NCAT within 30 days of receiving the notice to challenge the increase. NCAT will assess against market rents for comparable properties.
Does NSW have a prescribed rent increase form?
NSW Fair Trading publishes a template but using it is not mandatory. Any written notice that includes the required content is valid. The Fair Trading template is recommended for clarity.
Can I serve a rent increase notice by email in NSW?
Yes - if the tenant has agreed in writing to receive notices by email. Keep proof of delivery (read receipts, delivery confirmation). SMS is generally insufficient.
When can I next increase rent after a recent increase?
12 months after the LAST increase took effect, regardless of any change of tenant. From 31 October 2024 the cap is property-based, not tenancy-based.
What if the property is rented out for the first time after I bought it?
The first 12 months commence from the start of the new tenancy. You cannot increase rent in that first year. Subsequent increases follow the 60-day notice + 12-month cap rules.
General information only. This page summarises NSW rent increase rules at the date of last review. It is not legal advice. For a state-compliant notice that auto-fills your tenant, lease, and NSW RTA rules, use Vestly's notice generator. For complex disputes, contact NSW Fair Trading or a tenancy lawyer.
Verified May 2026. Source: NSW Fair Trading.
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