NSW move to ban rental bidding needs to stop unsolicited offers, tenants groups say

‘The search for a rental property is tough enough without it turning into a bidding war,’ NSW premier, Dominic Perrottet says. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian

Tenants groups are calling for landlords to be banned from accepting offers for rentals higher than the advertised rate after the New South Wales government announced plans to outlaw rental bidding.

The change announced on Monday will bring NSW into line with Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania, where attempts have been made to stamp out a practice that sees landlords or agents invite or suggest prospective tenants to increase their offer of rent to be the successful applicant.