Housing SEPP

More people need access to affordable housing, and they want to be able to choose a home that suits their needs at each stage of life. Combining the state’s former housing policies into a single SEPP streamlined and updated some of the provisions, and made them more consistent.

Housing 2041 is our plan to meet the state’s growing housing needs over the next 20 years by increasing the development of affordable and diverse types of homes.

Learn more about NSW Housing Strategy 2041 (PDF, 10.6 MB) and our 2021-22 Action Plan (PDF, 1.9 MB).

Chapter 3 (Educational establishments and child care facilities) of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 now includes a definition of campus accommodation, which also includes accommodation for people associated with the education facility (that is, not just students).

Off campus student housing developers will use the co-living housing provisions.

We are reviewing the provisions for group homes, caravan parks and manufactured home estates.

We will continue to monitor the Housing SEPP to ensure it is operating as intended and make any changes necessary. We will review it within 3 years.

These types of housing are similar in their built form and operation but boarding houses receive a larger density bonus. We want to encourage the delivery of boarding houses because of their affordability.

Boarding houses must be managed by registered community housing providers.

Co-living housing is a compact, ready-to-occupy form of accommodation for a range of people, including young professionals and key workers.

We listened to feedback from stakeholders who told us that smaller private rooms in boarding houses and co-living housing need to be offset by shared spaces such as large communal living areas and open space.

Boarding houses and co-living housing must provide residents with a principal place of residence for a minimum of 3 months.

This will:

• ensure they are not used as short-term residential accommodation or serviced apartments
• reduce the effects on the local community by limiting turnover of tenants
• help to develop a sense of community among residents.

Short-term rental accommodation refers to leasing all or part of a legally constructed dwelling for less than 3 months. The Housing SEPP defines short-term rental accommodation as either hosted or non-hosted.

All short-term rental accommodation dwellings must register to show they meet added fire and safety standards.

Read more about short-term rental accommodation policy.