Reference
Plain-English definitions for the words you'll see in your lease, in agent emails, and in NCAT papers.
The person managing the property on the landlord's behalf.
Most NSW rentals go through a real-estate agent who acts for the landlord. The agent isn't a neutral party — they're paid by, and represent, the landlord. You can communicate with them in writing and ask them to relay things to the landlord, but legal obligations sit with the landlord.
A security deposit, usually 4 weeks' rent, held by NSW Fair Trading.
The landlord can ask for up to 4 weeks' rent as a bond (s.159). The bond is lodged with NSW Fair Trading via the Rental Bonds Online system — not held by the agent. At the end of the tenancy the landlord can claim against it for unpaid rent, damage beyond fair wear and tear, or unpaid bills the tenant owes. You can dispute their claim.
A fixed penalty for ending a fixed-term lease early.
If your lease has a break-fee clause and you end the fixed term early, you pay a set amount: 4 weeks' rent if you leave in the first 25% of the term, 3 weeks in the next 25%, 2 weeks in the next 25%, and 1 week in the final 25% (s.107). The break fee replaces ongoing rent — once you pay it, you walk away.
The document recording the state of the property at move-in.
The landlord/agent must give you a completed condition report at the start of the tenancy (s.34). You get 7 days to add your own comments and disagreements, sign it, and return it. This is the baseline used at the end of the tenancy to assess fair wear and tear vs damage. Keep your copy and your photos.
The legal process of ending a tenancy and removing the tenant.
A landlord can't just change the locks. They must serve a valid termination notice (with the Termination Information Statement and any supporting documents) using one of the prescribed grounds, then if the tenant doesn't leave, apply to NCAT for a termination and possession order, and finally arrange a Sheriff to enforce it. Each step has rules. An invalid notice is unenforceable.
Normal use damage that the landlord absorbs.
The wear that would happen to any property occupied by a reasonable tenant over the same time: paint fading, carpet flattening in walkways, scuffs on walls, worn fittings. The tenant is not liable to repair or pay for fair wear and tear (s.51). Specific damage from the tenant's act or neglect is different — that the tenant can be liable for.
A lease with a set end date — e.g. 12 months.
Most NSW leases start as a fixed term. Ending it early triggers the break-fee provisions. At the end of the fixed term, if neither side gives notice, the agreement rolls into a periodic agreement on the same terms.
A periodic check of the property's condition.
The landlord or agent can inspect the property up to 4 times per year, with at least 7 days' written notice (s.55). They are looking for cleanliness and damage, not perfection. They cannot inspect without notice or more frequently. The first inspection can't be within 3 months of the tenancy starting.
The legal owner of the property who you rent from.
Even if you only deal with an agent, the landlord is the party legally on the other side of your lease. The landlord carries the obligations — not the agent.
NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal — the tenancy tribunal.
NCAT hears tenancy disputes: bond claims, repairs orders, rent reduction, termination disputes, excessive rent increases. Filing fee is around $59 (reduced for concessions). It's designed to work without lawyers. Each party puts in evidence and makes their case; a member decides.
Ending a tenancy without giving a reason — abolished in NSW.
Until 19 May 2025, landlords could give a no-grounds termination notice at the end of a fixed term or during a periodic agreement. The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024 abolished no-grounds evictions — landlords now need a prescribed reason and (for most grounds) supporting documents. If you received a no-grounds notice dated 19 May 2025 or later, it is invalid. Notices given before 19 May 2025 remain valid.
A rolling lease — no end date.
After a fixed term ends, if neither side terminates, the lease becomes periodic. Same terms, no end date, continues until either side gives proper notice. From a tenant's view: 21 days' notice if you want to leave; longer notice from the landlord.
Your right to use the property without interference.
The landlord must not unreasonably interfere with your use and occupation of the premises (s.50). They can't drop in unannounced, harass you, or let agents enter without proper notice. If they do, you can ask NCAT for orders to stop and/or compensation.
How long the landlord must wait before re-letting the property after evicting you.
From 19 May 2025, a landlord who ends a tenancy using sale, owner-moving-in, or demolition cannot re-let for 6 months. 'No longer used as a rental' = 12 months. 'Significant renovations' = 4 weeks. Re-letting inside the window without NSW Fair Trading approval is an offence — and strong evidence the original eviction ground was non-genuine, which you can take to NCAT.
A formal change to the rent amount.
The landlord must give 60 days' written notice (s.41) and can only increase rent once every 12 months. The notice must specify the new amount and the date. If you think the increase is excessive (compared to the market for similar properties in the area), you can apply to NCAT within 30 days to challenge it.
Repairs you can authorise yourself if the landlord doesn't act.
Urgent repairs include burst pipes, serious roof leaks, gas leaks, blocked toilets (when only one), broken hot water service, breakdowns in essential services, and any fault that makes the property unsafe (s.62). If you can't reach the landlord, you can authorise repairs up to $1000 and be reimbursed.
You — the person renting the property.
The person named on the lease. If multiple people sign, they are all jointly responsible: the landlord can pursue any of them for rent or damage. Adding or removing a tenant during the tenancy requires landlord consent and a transfer of lease.
A document the landlord MUST include with any termination notice.
Since 19 May 2025, every termination notice must include the NSW Fair Trading Termination Information Statement — a document explaining the tenant's rights when a tenancy is being ended. A termination notice without the Information Statement is challengeable as invalid.
A written notice ending the tenancy.
A formal notice — from either side — specifying the date the tenancy ends and the ground. Different grounds have different minimum notice periods. The notice must be in writing, signed, addressed to the other party, and set out the ground (s.85). An invalid notice doesn't end the tenancy.
A binding decision by NCAT.
After hearing a matter, NCAT makes an order — for example, requiring repairs, ordering a rent reduction, returning bond, terminating the tenancy. Orders are enforceable. If a party doesn't comply, the other side can apply to enforce the order in the Local Court.