Rent controls are back on the agenda.

The NSW Greens aim to make rent controls an issue in NSW by introducing legislation later this year. They are also calling on the Federal Government to implement controls.

On their wish list at the NSW level are limiting rent increases to inflation, restricting increases to once a year or preventing increases during fixed-term leases. At the Federal level, the NSW Greens are calling for a 12 month rent freeze and a moratorium on no-cause evictions to protect renters during the fuel crisis. Their previous attempts at rent controls in NSW have been unsuccessful.

The Federal Government has been reluctant to pressure the State Governments into any form of rent freeze.

Limiting rent increases to inflation is similar to the scheme operating in the ACT. Restricting increases to once a year already applies in Qld and, after initial landlord grumbles, has been implemented without issue.

Any further form of rent control seems unlikely in Qld with the current LNP Government in power.

Even under the previous ALP government, the Qld Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works stated that it believed forms of rent control are generally ineffective.

During the 57th Qld Parliament, the Greens twice attempted to introduce rent control legislation in Qld, in each case the relevant Committee recommended against its introduction and the Bills were scrapped.

The Greens claim that, with inflation at 3.8%, rents have risen 3.6%. Absent from the discussion is any mention of landlord costs.

As examples, Brisbane City Council rates on units in some suburbs have risen 11.4% year on year. Qld Urban Utilities sewerage service charges are up 9.5%. QUU water service charges have increased 16.4% while Tier 1 water costs are up 6.8%.

Across Sydney, rates in some suburbs have increased at least 5%. Sydney Water charges are up by 7.2%

Added to this are increases in interest rates, strata levies, insurance and maintenance costs. Landlords also face property valuation costs as at 30 June 2027 ahead of the implementation of the new CGT rules.

It seems unlikely that the NSW Greens will succeed with any form of rent freeze. They may have more success in NSW focusing their attention on restricting increases to once a year.

Greens call for rent freeze amid rising inflation

Report No. 7, 57th Parliament, Housing, Big Build and Manufacturing Committee, May 2024

July 2026

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