New Rent Rules: What Hawkesbury Renters Need to Know

A recent change in NSW law means rent can now only be increased once per year offering tenants more certainty and fewer surprises. The only exception is short, fixed-term leases signed before 13 December last year, which may have different rules.

Hawkesbury Rental Market at a Glance

Hawkesbury’s rental market reflects a region in transition nestled between the city’s growth pressures and a desire for lifestyle change. According to the 2021 Census data, there are approximately 25,473 private dwellings in the Hawkesbury area, with households made up of an average of 2.8 people.

Of these, just under 20 percent are renters in private accommodation, while roughly 70 percent are either purchasing or fully own their homes.

In terms of affordability, median weekly rent in Hawkesbury was recorded at $400 in 2021.

However, more recent figures show a clear escalation, with advertised median weekly rent for standalone houses exceeding $630 in many suburbs reflecting a notable increase driven by market demand.

Rental prices vary depending on the property type, with units tending toward lower weekly rates closer to $450.

Acreage properties and homes in semi-rural settings—like Glossodia, McGraths Hill and Bligh Park—have become particularly sought-after, with some weekly prices surpassing $1,000 for premier listings.

Why It Matters

With nearly 1 in 5 Hawkesbury households renting, the recent NSW law change limiting rent increases to once per year now directly benefits thousands of locals. This legislative reform comes as a welcome relief for renters navigating a tight market and cost of living crisis.

By using Services NSW Rent Check online tool Hawkesbury renters can now easily benchmark their rent against local suburbs — helping them negotiate more confidently with landlords or prepare for future market changes.

What Hawkesbury Tenants Should Know

• If your rent goes up, you can check how it compares with others in your postcode using the Rent Check online tool.
• Rent Check allows you, in four simple steps, to find out the current weekly median rent range in any NSW postcode:
  1. Go to the NSW Fair Trading / Rent Check site.https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/renting-a-place-to-live/rent-check
  2. Enter your postcode.
  3. Select the type of dwelling / number of bedrooms.
  4. View the lower, median, and upper quartile weekly rents for similar properties.

This helps you see what’s typical, so you can understand whether your rent increase is reasonable in context.