NSW government shelves controversial ‘secret rent bidding’ ban after warnings of price increases

The NSW government has shelved reforms that critics say would have created ‘rental auctions’ as the housing crisis continues to deepen. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Reforms that experts warned would have created “rental auctions” and driven rents up have been shelved by the New South Wales government as it seeks to push through legislation it hopes will ease the state’s housing crisis.

Labor’s plan to end “secret” rent bidding was panned by tenants’ advocates, homelessness groups and real estate agents when it was introduced to parliament in May, prompting a rethink and redraft of the legislation.