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NSW rental application: what to prepare (and what to keep private)

In a tight rental market, a tidy, complete application gets read first. Prepare it once, keep it up to date, and share only what's needed.

What to prepare

• Renter profile: who will live there, jobs or study, how long you want to stay.
• Short cover letter: three or four sentences on why the property suits you and why you'll be a good tenant.
• Rental history: previous addresses, dates, rent and agent or landlord contacts.
• References: previous agents, employers or character referees who've agreed to be contacted.
• Proof you can pay the rent: usually recent payslips or a letter from your employer. Cover up details that aren't needed.
• Pet resume, if you have a pet: age, breed, desexing, vaccinations, training, and a reference from a previous landlord.

Recent NSW rental law changes

NSW Fair Trading's changes to rental laws page lists reforms introduced in stages from 2024, including:

• rent increases limited to once a year for all lease types
• landlords needing a valid reason to end a tenancy
• fees at the start of a tenancy, such as background checks and preparing agreements, being expressly prohibited
• easier rules for moving in with a pet
• a free way to pay rent (bank transfer or Centrepay)

Check the page for the details and dates, and for what applies to your situation.

Protect your personal information

Share only what the agent actually asks for. Watermark copies of documents with "For rental application at [address] only" and the date, and cover up numbers that aren't needed.

Related guides

• Rental inspection checklist: room-by-room checks to protect your bond
• How to split rent fairly by room size (and split the bills)
• Moving house checklist for Australia: timeline and who to tell

General information only, not legal advice. Check NSW Fair Trading for current rules. Last checked 16 Nov 2026.