Tenant advocates and real estate agents have criticised New South Wales (NSW) laws designed to help tenants amid warnings that bans on secret rent bidding will drive prices higher.
The proposed legislation would close loopholes that allow landlords and real agents to covertly solicit bids on rental properties and take offers without informing other prospective tenants.
It is one of a raft of rental reforms the Minns government wants to implement at a time when weekly rent for the average Sydney apartment has risen $100 (US$66) in a year.
Although initially designed to help level the playing field for tenants and assist with the costs of renting, community organisations said the proposed legislation would spark legal rental auctions and further push up prices….