Section 23Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW)

Limit on amounts payable by tenant before agreement

(1) A person must not require or receive from a tenant, before or when the tenant enters into the residential tenancy agreement, a payment other than the following—
(a) a holding fee,
(b) rent,
(c) a rental bond,
(d) an amount for the fee, if any, payable for registration of a residential tenancy agreement under the Real Property Act 1900.
(2) Without limiting this section, a person must not require or receive from a tenant an amount for—
(a) the preparation of a written residential tenancy agreement, or
(b) the conduct of a background check.
(3) To avoid doubt, this section applies in relation to a tenant whether or not the tenant—
(a) applies for tenancy of the residential premises, or
(b) enters into a residential tenancy agreement for the residential premises.

Sourced from the New South Wales Legislation website at 8 June 2026. For the latest information on New South Wales Government legislation please go to https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au. Verify the current text against the official source before relying on it.

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