Renting and housing
There are laws that govern housing, whether you are renting, in social housing or own a home.
Renting
Tenants and landlords have rights and obligations at the beginning, during and at the end of a tenancy.
Online books
The Find Legal Answers Tool Kit is a collection of plain English books about the law. You can read them online or at your local public library.
Use the Tool Kit online books below to find out about renting.
The law handbook: your practical guide to the law in NSW
A practical guide to the law
Useful links
- Tenants’ Union of NSW
- Tenants’ Union of NSW – New renters kit
- Tenant’s Union of NSW – Rent increase negation kit
- Legal Aid NSW – Tenancy
- Tenants’ Union of NSW – Share houses
Legislation
In NSW, the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 deals with tenancy, including residential tenancy agreements, rent, repairs, and termination of the agreement.
People who rent a room in a ‘registrable boarding house’ may be covered by the Boarding Houses Act 2012.
Social housing
Social housing is rental housing provided to very low income and low-income households at affordable rents. The three forms of social housing are public housing, community housing and Aboriginal housing.
Public housing properties are managed by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ). Community housing properties are managed by community housing providers, generally not-for-profit organisations. Aboriginal Housing properties are owned by the Aboriginal Housing Office and managed by DJC.
Social housing tenants have the same rights and responsibilities as private tenants in NSW.
Useful links
- NSW Department of Communities and Justice
- Tenant’s Union of NSW – Public and community housing
- Legal Aid NSW – Social housing
For Aboriginal people
Legislation
The Residential Tenancies Act 2010 covers social housing tenants, including tenants of DCJ Housing, community housing providers and the Aboriginal Housing Office. Social housing providers have certain specific rights and obligations under the Act.
Home ownership
Buying a home is one of the largest and most important investments most people make. It's important to understand the process before you buy a property.
A mortgage is a consumer credit contract where money is lent by the bank using property as security for the loan. If you have trouble making repayments, there are steps you can take.
Online books
The Find Legal Answers Tool Kit is a collection of plain English books about the law. You can read them online or at your local public library.
Use the Tool Kit online books below to find out about home ownership and how to deal with mortgage stress.
Dealing with debt: a legal guide to personal debt in NSW
A guide that helps debtors understand common types of debt and debt recovery processes, consider alternatives for managing debt issues, and respond to debt recovery action in the Local Court of NSW.
The law handbook: your practical guide to the law in NSW
A practical guide to the law
Guided pathways
The Legal Aid NSW guided pathways help you find the best way to deal with your legal problem.
Useful links
Legislation
The Conveyancing Act 1919 governs property transactions and conveyancing processes in NSW.
The Strata Scheme Management Act 2015 governs the management of strata schemes and disputes related to strata schemes and other matters.
Getting help
Legal Aid NSW, community legal centres and other organisations may give free legal help to people with a legal problem in NSW.
Find more sources of help on the Getting help page.
Legal information at the State Library
The Library has a large collection of textbooks, legal commentaries, legal encyclopaedias, databases, journals, legislation and court reports - everything you need for advanced legal research.