New rental data released earlier this month highlighted the areas most affected by rising rental costs over the past 12 months. Bond lodgement data shows that rents have gone up 9.1 per cent in Greater Sydney and 5.2 per cent in the rest of New South Wales over the past year. However, south-west Sydney, which includes the suburbs of Liverpool, Fairfield and Camden, suffered the biggest increase of 16.4 per cent. Those areas of Sydney were traditionally seen as more affordable. Unfortunately, I am hearing about the impacts of the disproportionate rent rises in the concerns that people raise with me, both in my office and when I am in the community. This aspect of the housing crisis is why rental reform is so necessary and why I am proud of the recent legislation that was passed in this place.

Rental reforms are an important issue that affects the more than two million people in New South Wales who rent. Our rental market, which consists of more than one million properties, is the largest in Australia, so it is necessary to strike a fair balance between the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords. Sadly, this balance has been missing. Renters in New South Wales are facing challenges like never before, with historically low vacancy rates and the current cost-of-living crisis. That is why the Minns Labor Government is committed to take action, and I am proud to say that it has set an ambitious agenda for rental reform.

The first step was appointing Trina Jones as the new NSW Rental Commissioner. She will lead the charge in cracking down on poor-quality rental homes and bad behaviour from agents and owners. Under the commissioner's leadership, the new NSW Rental Taskforce will be one of the largest teams within NSW Fair Trading. With an investment of $8.4 million dollars, the taskforce will have new investigators and inspectors to address serious breaches of rental laws. The Government is also ensuring renters have the tools they need to navigate this complex market. The new online Rent Check tool provides greater transparency by allowing tenants to compare median rent ranges in any postcode across New South Wales. It gives renters valuable information and transparency to help them determine if their current or proposed rent is reasonable.

Additionally, the Government is working on an innovative solution with the portable bonds scheme, which will be the first in Australia. The Government has invested $6.6 million to develop the scheme, which will allow renters to transfer their existing bond from one property to another, eliminating the financial burden of saving for a second bond while waiting for their previous bond to be returned. This is a real, practical solution to help ease the financial pressure many renters face when moving homes. These reforms are the most comprehensive changes to rental laws in a decade. The Government is modernising the rental market to make it fairer for both tenants and landlords, fulfilling a promise it made to the people of New South Wales.

One of the most significant changes is the end of no-grounds evictions. Currently, landlords can evict tenants for any reason or for no reason at all, leaving families with uncertainty and insecurity. This system is not only unfair, but also disproportionately affects vulnerable segments of our society, including the young, disabled and lower-income groups. Under the Government reforms, landlords will be required to have a valid reason to terminate a tenancy. It is introducing a requirement for commonsense grounds for eviction, such as breach of lease, damage to property, non-payment of rent, or if the property is being sold or undergoing significant renovations. This ensures that landlords still maintain their rights while giving tenants the stability and peace of mind they deserve.

Another reform will ensure paying rent is both free and convenient. Fee-free options like bank transfers or payments through the Commonwealth's Centrepay make it easier for everyone to manage their finances. The reforms also eliminate the imposition of fees on the renter for background checks. Renters should not have to pay extra just to be considered for a home. We will strengthen laws to ensure tenants no longer have to pay for their background checks. Finally, the Government believes that tenants are renting homes, not just houses. Pets are beloved members of many families. Unfortunately, some renters are faced with the heart-wrenching decision of choosing between their pets and a place to live. The Minns Government was elected with a clear mandate to modernise the rental market. These reforms will deliver on that promise, bringing balance for both tenants and landlords.