New South Wales · free template · rules checked 19 Oct 2026

Rent increase letter template for NSW

For NSW renters replying to an increase. Check your rent first, or copy the free template below.

Optional A$5 pack after the check: your reply written with your figures, and a dated evidence PDF.

The letter

Keep the parts that apply to you and fill in the square brackets. How to use it is below the letter.

[Today's date] To: [Agent or landlord's name] Re: Rent increase for [your address] Dear [name], Thank you for your notice, which I received on [the day you got it], proposing to increase the rent from $[current rent] to $[new rent] a week from [the day it starts]. That's an increase of [the percentage]: $[the difference] a week, or $[the difference × 52] a year. I've looked at the published figures. On figures worked out from NSW Fair Trading's rental bond lodgements, new leases of [your kind of home, such as 2-bedroom units] in postcode [your postcode] had a median of $[the median] a week for [the months], from [the number of] new leases. [If you have them:] The middle half of those new leases were between $[the lower figure] and $[the upper figure] a week, and the proposed $[new rent] is [below that range / in the lower half of it / in the upper half of it / above that range]. [Keep any that are true:] I've paid the rent on time throughout my tenancy. I've looked after the property. I'd like to stay on for the long term. Some repairs at the property are still outstanding. [Only if the notice gives fewer than 60 full days (don't count the day you got it or the day the new rent starts), and the change isn't from a social housing rent rebate:] My understanding of the rules is that at least 60 days' written notice is needed before a new rent starts (for a fixed-term lease of under 2 years signed before 13 December 2024, unless the lease itself sets out this increase and the day it starts). Your notice reached me on [the day you got it] and gives [the number of] full days before [the day it starts], not counting the day it reached me. Could you please confirm the start date? [Only if the new rent would start before the first day the 12 months allow (counted from the day after your current rent started: after 1 March, that's 2 March the next year; after 28 February 2023, 1 March 2024), you're not on a fixed-term lease of under 2 years signed before 13 December 2024, and the change isn't from a social housing rent rebate:] My current rent started on [the day]. My understanding is that the rent can't go up again before [that first day]. Could you please confirm when the rent last changed? [Either:] I'd like to propose a rent of $[your offer] a week instead. [Or:] I'd like to ask that the rent stay at $[current rent] a week. Could you please reply in writing by [a day about a week from now, and at least three days before your last day to apply to NCAT: 30 days from when you were given the notice]? [If you want to mention it, and the change isn't from a social housing rent rebate:] I understand that if we can't agree, I can apply to NCAT within 30 days of being given the notice. Kind regards, [Your name]

How to use it

Find the figures for your area: the free check shows the median rent for recent new leases of homes like yours in your postcode, from NSW Fair Trading's bond data, and what the increase costs you a year.
Keep the paragraphs that apply to you, fill in the square brackets, and delete the bracketed notes.
Asking for a lower rent doesn't pause the 30 days to apply to NCAT: if you might apply, note that date first, and ask for a reply before it.
Send it in writing, such as by email, and keep a copy of what you send and any reply.
It's for an ordinary increase. If the change comes from a social housing rent rebate, different rules apply. Not sure how the rules apply to your tenancy? The Tenants' Union of NSW and its advice services can help, free.

Want it filled in for you?

The free check finds the median rent for recent new leases of homes like yours in your postcode, what the increase costs you a year, and whether the dates on your notice fit the published rules. No sign-up. Then, if you want it, the $5 response pack writes this letter with your own figures and dates, and adds a dated evidence PDF.

Check your rent increase free See a sample pack

Questions

What should a letter replying to a rent increase say?

The current and the proposed rent, what the increase costs a year, the median rent for recent new leases of similar homes nearby, a question about any date on the notice that doesn't seem to fit the rules, your proposal, and a day to reply by. The template above has each part.

Can I ask for a smaller increase?

Yes. You can ask, and the landlord can agree to a lower figure or not. Any lower figure you agree on should be confirmed in writing. If you think the increase is excessive, you can apply to NCAT within 30 days of being given the notice.

Is this legal advice?

No. It's a template and general information about the published rules, and we haven't seen your agreement. A tenants' advice service can advise on your situation.