RESOURCE

Complaints to Fair Trading

Landlords and their agents must comply with certain of provisions in the Residential Tenancies Act 2010. They can be penalised for not complying, subject to investigation by NSW Fair Trading.

NSW Fair Trading may investigate non-compliance based on complaints from tenants. NSW Fair Trading’s approach to compliance is outlined on its website at NSW Fair Trading: Our compliance role.

Get advice from your local Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service before making a complaint to NSW Fair Trading. You may have other options, such as an application for orders in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Sample complaint letters to NSW Fair Trading

These sample letters were developed by Inner West Tenants Service.

  1. Download the appropriate sample complaint letter (Rich Text Format) from the list below.
  2. Amend the letter and send it to your local Fair Trading Centre (phone 133 220) along with a completed ‘General complaint form’ from NSW Fair Trading: Lodge a complaint.

You can also make complaints using the online complaints system, and use the material in these samples to help fill in the online form.

Start of tenancy

See Factsheet 02: Starting a tenancy.

 

Tenancy agreements – prohibited terms

See Factsheet 01: Residential Tenancies Act.

 

Rent payments

See Factsheet 05: Rent arrears.

 

Rent increases

See Factsheet 04: Rent increases.

 

Access, privacy and possession of premises

See Factsheet 08: Access and privacy and Factsheet 07: Locks and security.

 

Bond

See Factsheet 03: Bond.

 

Tenant databases

See Factsheet 19: Tenant databases.