Tenancy Lawyers Sydney

Whether you’re facing a lease agreement breach, fighting unfair bond deductions, or need representation at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, our experienced tenant lawyers provide expert advice to protect your tenancy rights. We assist both landlords and tenants across Sydney with tailored strategies to resolve disputes quickly and cost-effectively.

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How Our Rental & Tenant Lawyers Can Help You

Bond disputes & unfair deductions

We challenge excessive bond claims and help you recover your rental bond when landlords make unreasonable property damage claims or cleaning disputes.

Wrongful eviction defence

If you’ve received an invalid termination notice, we can challenge the eviction through the administrative tribunal and protect your right to remain in your property.

Repair request failures

When landlords fail to complete urgent repairs, we advise on your options under NSW law, including seeking compensation claims for uninhabitable conditions.

Rent increase challenges

We help tenants dispute excessive rent increases that breach the rental agreement or fail to comply with proper notice requirements.

Breaking lease advice

Need to end your tenancy early? We advise on minimising costs and obligations when terminating fixed-term agreements before they expire.

Bond claim assistance

We prepare evidence supporting your bond claim and represent you at NSW Fair Trading or tribunal hearings to recover costs for property damage or breach of agreement.

Tenant eviction process

From drafting the termination notice to tribunal representation, we guide landlords through lawful eviction procedures that comply with the Residential Tenancies Act.

Property damage recovery

When tenants cause damage beyond fair wear and tear, we help landlords claim compensation through dispute resolution or legal proceedings.

Rental arrears collection

We assist landlords in recovering unpaid rent through formal demand letters, NCAT applications, and enforcement of tribunal orders.

Lease breach enforcement

When tenants breach the lease agreement, we advise on your options, including issuing breach notices and seeking termination through the administrative tribunal, NCAT.

Important NSW Rental Law Reforms 2025

End of no-grounds evictions

Landlords must now provide a valid reason for termination, strengthening tenant rights across NSW.

New termination notice periods

Extended notice periods now apply to many termination types, giving tenants more time to find alternative housing.

Updated bond rules

Changes to bond claim processes and maximum bond amounts affect both landlords and tenants entering new rental agreements.

Pet ownership rights

Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse pets, with new guidelines on what constitutes reasonable grounds for refusal.

Rent increase limits

New rules on rent increase frequency and notice requirements help prevent disputes over excessive rent increases.

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Common Tenancy Disputes We Handle in NSW

Facing a tenancy dispute?
Contact Our Tenancy Lawyers Today!
Book a Consultation

We offer confidential consultation to assess your matter and advise on the best path forward. Whether you need to resolve disputes through negotiation or require tribunal representation, CMI Legal’s property law team is here to assist.

Call us on 02 8386 8592 or book a consultation to speak with our tenancy lawyers about your legal issues today.

Address

Suite 904/10 Help St, Chatswood, NSW 2067, Australia

NCAT Tribunal Representation

How the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal Works

Lodging Your Application

Either party can apply to NCAT to resolve disputes. Application fees vary depending on the claim type. Most tenancy matters are heard within 4-8 weeks of lodging.

Gathering Evidence

Strong evidence is essential for tribunal hearings. This includes the written agreement, condition reports, photographs, correspondence, and receipts. Our lawyers assist with compiling evidence supporting your claim.

Conciliation Process

NCAT encourages dispute resolution before formal hearings. Many lease disputes are resolved at conciliation, saving time and legal costs for both parties.

Tribunal Hearing

If conciliation fails, your matter proceeds to a formal hearing. Our tenancy lawyers represent clients at tribunal hearings, presenting arguments and evidence to support your case.

Orders and Enforcement

NCAT issues binding orders that both parties must follow. If the other party fails to comply, we assist with enforcement through court proceedings if necessary.

Recent Tenancy Cases We've Handled

Why Sydney Tenants & Landlords Trust CMI Legal

Decade of Tenancy Dispute Experience

Since 2014, our property law team has represented hundreds of tenants and landlords across Sydney. We understand both sides of every dispute, providing us with the strategic insight to resolve them efficiently. Our experienced lawyers have handled thousands of lease disputes and property disputes throughout NSW.

We Represent Both Tenants & Landlords

Representing both sides means we anticipate opposing arguments before they’re made. Whether you’re fighting unfair bond deductions or recovering unpaid rent, we know exactly how the other party thinks. This dual perspective helps us develop tailored strategies for resolving property disputes.

NCAT Tribunal Specialists

Our lawyers regularly appear before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. We handle everything from application preparation to final hearing representation, so you’re never navigating legal proceedings alone. We understand tribunal procedures and provide expert advice on the strongest approach for your matter.

Transparent Fixed-Fee Pricing

We offer fixed-fee services for straightforward tenancy matters, including bond disputes, lease agreement reviews, and NCAT applications. You’ll receive a clear quote before we begin, allowing you to make informed decisions about your legal options.

Our Tenancy Lawyers Reviews

Client Testimonials and Reviews

Sydney Translation profile picture
Sydney Translation
22:10 18 Feb 26
David Lin profile picture
David Lin
11:41 23 Nov 25
Many thanks to Senior Lawyer Tina Tang for helping me handle the sale of my property in Sydney. She liaised with the real estate, banks and buyers broker and explained everything well and handled the sale meticulously.Her professional ability, experience and sense of responsibility are trustworthy. I recommend Tina and CMI for anyone looking for support in real estate sales.
David Lin
Denis Lebrun profile picture
Denis Lebrun
00:14 21 Nov 25
John Zhang has been absolutely great in helping me with my EOI and application for a skilled visa in Australia. On both calls I've had with John, I have had a multitude of questions for him which he answered in depth and gave me all the information I required. He really has a great amount of knowledge and I would highly recommend him and the CMI legal team for their efficiency and professionalism.
Jing LI profile picture
Jing LI
03:22 30 Sep 25
I was very fortunate to have Tina TANG from CMI as my conveyancing solicitor for the recent sale of my property. She demonstrated exceptional professionalism and dedication throughout the entire process — from preparing the contract, exchanging contracts, right through to settlement. What impressed me the most is that even after settlement, she continued to go above and beyond to assist me as the vendor, making sure everything was properly taken care of.

Her diligence, patience, and attention to detail gave me great peace of mind and took away a lot of the stress of selling a property. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable, professional, and truly supportive conveyancing solicitor. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sabrina Ng profile picture
Sabrina Ng
06:57 12 Aug 25
Outstanding service from start to finish. Tina Tang handled my unit's sales contract with exceptional professionalism. Communication was always clear and prompt, making the whole process smooth and stree free. I highly recommand Tina to anyone seeking a reliable and knowledgeable solicitor.
Max Swan profile picture
Max Swan
22:16 01 Jul 25
I’ve had an incredibly positive experience working with John & Winnie on my matter. From start to finish, they have been professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely supportive throughout what’s been a stressful time for me.

They explained every step of the process clearly, responded promptly to any questions I had, and made complicated situations feel a lot more manageable. I felt like I was in good hands the entire time, and their calm, confident approach really helped me stay grounded.

Highly recommend CMI services to anyone needing immigration or legal assistance — couldn’t be more grateful.

Thanks again!
danny profile picture
danny
11:57 26 Jun 25
As an old customer of CMI, this year is already the 8th year. Special thanks to attorney John and attorney Tina for carefully answering our various questions, providing a lot of professional advice and help, allowing us to easily complete each transaction.
Vivien Lu profile picture
Vivien Lu
01:39 23 May 25
Tina was a great lawyer - she was always incredibly knowledgeable, answered all questions promptly, and very friendly. Would recommend Tina!
Zhiyi LI profile picture
Zhiyi LI
04:58 14 Mar 25
Jeremy Tong profile picture
Jeremy Tong
22:32 20 Sep 24
Tina was a great help in guiding us through our first home buying experience. She gave us a lot of great explanations and advice from initial discussion of the process through every step until successful settlement. Communication and resolution of issues was prompt and professional.
Yun Jung Hsieh profile picture
Yun Jung Hsieh
05:56 12 Aug 24
Tina is a fantastic lawyer. her responses to my queries were thorough and timely, and impeccable organizational skills! Truly appreciated her clear and consistent communcation througout the entire property-purchasing process. she handled everything with profressionalism and expertise, making what could have been a stressful experience much smoother. Highly recommend!
Jeena Jung profile picture
Jeena Jung
05:04 06 Aug 24
We had the pleasure of working with Tina as our solicitor for our first home purchase, and we couldn’t have been in better hands. She carefully explained every step of the process, guiding us through what initially felt overwhelming and unfamiliar. Buying off the plan made us particularly cautious, especially when it came to reviewing legal documents. Tina’s meticulous approach put us at ease—she ensured we both clearly understood each aspect, taking the time to highlight and reorganise information to make it more accessible. Her dedication and professionalism made the entire experience far less daunting, and we’re truly grateful for her support.
Keyu Jiang profile picture
Keyu Jiang
10:03 05 Aug 24
John and Tina have provided great professional legal service since 2017 for me.
Ian Pereira profile picture
Ian Pereira
09:18 04 Jul 24
I realised that I hadn’t left a review for my dealings with CMI legal. I had dealt with them a few months ago, but an epiphany made me come and leave a review.

5 stars is insufficient to express their work. We were working Dee and she is an amazing and thorough professional. She goes above and beyond and explains matters that makes you understand things really well. Thank you Dee for your amazing work.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tenancy Law in NSW

A tenancy agreement is a contract between a tenant and a landlord. It sets out the rights and obligations of both parties and includes details like rent, lease duration, and rules for the property.

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal is a dispute resolution body. It hears and determines disputes related to residential tenancies, such as those involving rental arrears, property damage, or termination of leases.

Common disputes include disagreements over rent increases, property damage, eviction, lease terms, and the return of rental bond.

If you receive a breach notice, it’s important to get legal advice. Our tenancy lawyers can help you understand the notice, advise on your rights and options, and assist in resolving the matter.

If you can’t make rental payments, contact your landlord or property manager as soon as possible. If you can’t reach an agreement, get legal advice. Our lawyers can help you understand your options, which might include applying to the tribunal for a rental reduction or payment plan.

The length of a tribunal hearing depends on the complexity of the case. Simple matters might be resolved in an hour or two, while more complex disputes can take several hours or may require multiple hearing dates.

If a landlord uses the property for an illegal purpose, tenants may have grounds to terminate the lease or seek compensation. If you suspect your landlord is using the property illegally, seek legal advice immediately.

‘Quiet enjoyment’ is a tenant’s right to use and enjoy the rented premises without disturbance from the landlord or other parties. If this right is breached, the tenant may have a case for compensation or other remedies.

Landlords are generally required to keep the property in a reasonable state of repair, considering the property’s age, character, and prospective life. If necessary repairs aren’t made, tenants may be able to seek remedies such as rent reduction or termination of the lease

The laws vary, but generally, a tenant can change the locks without the landlord’s consent if there is a reasonable excuse, such as a threat to their safety. However, they may be required to give the landlord a copy of the new keys.

Yes, a tenancy agreement can be changed after it’s signed, but any changes need to be agreed upon by both the landlord and the tenant. The changes should be documented in writing.

If a tenant doesn’t pay rent, the landlord can issue a breach notice and possibly seek to terminate the lease. The tenant may also be ordered to pay the overdue rent and could lose their rental bond. If you’re having trouble making rent payments, seek legal advice promptly.

In most cases, the property being sold doesn’t affect a current lease. Tenants have a right to stay until the end of their fixed-term lease. If the property is sold during a periodic agreement, the tenant may be asked to vacate, but typically with a notice period. Laws can vary, so it’s recommended to seek legal advice.

Meet Our Experienced Legal Team of Property Lawyers