NSW rental changes to protect DV victims

NSW domestic violence victims looking to flee an abusive partner will be given the power to end their rental contracts faster under proposed new laws.

Currently, victims on a fixed lease need to give their landlords two weeks notice, with potential liabilities, and provide a final AVO, which can take up to 12 months to obtain, before they can break their contracts.

"This is an unacceptable and often burdensome process for people living in dangerous situations," Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Victor Dominello says.

The government is proposing to change the state's residential tenancies laws to allow tenants to terminate their tenancy immediately by providing evidence of domestic violence through a provisional, interim or final AVO, or court order.

Agents and landlords will also be prohibited from listing a victim of domestic violence on a database where a debt or property damage arose because of a violent partner.

"The new laws will provide victims with certainty they won't be penalised in future rental applications," Mr Dominello said.

The new laws are expected to be introduced into parliament in the first half of 2017.

* National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.