Complete Guide to Screening Tenants in NSW (2025)

Introduction

As a landlord, selecting the right tenant is crucial. The 2025 rental market in NSW has new rules and high competition. Screening tenants thoroughly helps ensure reliability, protect your investment and keep your property safe.

Steps to screen tenants in NSW

1. Collect and review applications — Request a standard rental application with personal details, employment information and references. Make sure all fields are complete before moving forward.
2. Verify income — Ask for recent payslips or bank statements to confirm the applicant’s ability to afford rent.
3. Check references — Call previous landlords and employers to learn about the tenant’s history, behaviour and reliability.
4. Perform background checks — Use tenancy databases or publicly available records to ensure there are no tenancy blacklists or serious issues.
5. Confirm identity — Request government-issued ID to avoid fraud.
6. Ensure compliance with law — Under the changes to NSW rental laws starting May 19, 2025, landlords must have a valid reason to end a tenancy and must follow strict rules when rejecting applicants (Landlords’ rights and responsibilities). Always treat applicants fairly and avoid discrimination.

What landlords should keep in mind

• NSW laws limit rent increases to once per year (Landlords’ rights and responsibilities), so choose tenants likely to stay long-term.
• Document all communications and approvals.
• Never accept deposits before the lease is signed.

How Leaso can help

Leaso streamlines tenant screening. When you list your property, we match you with pre-qualified renters whose budgets and preferences align with your property. This reduces the need for manual vetting and speeds up the process. If you’re ready to find the perfect tenant faster, visit leaso.com.