Ongoing eligibility
We regularly review tenancies to make sure tenants still have a need for ongoing housing assistance.
The ongoing eligibility policy means we regularly assess your eligibility for housing assistance to see whether:
- your circumstances have improved
- you still need social housing assistance.
You are no longer eligible for social housing assistance if:
- your combined gross assessable income (for all tenants and their partners) is more than $80,000 per year
- you or any household member owns, or part-owns, property in Australia or overseas
- you have not provided the information that we have requested to check your eligibility. If you don’t provide the requested information, we assume that you own property and/or earn more than $80,000 per year and you will be considered ineligible.
Ineligible households need to move out of the property within four (4) months.
You can leave the property any time during the four (4) month exit period. Please tell your nearest Housing Service Centre when you’re leaving.
Notifying us about changes
You must tell us within 28 days of your household or income changing, and provide evidence about:
- who lives in your household
- the income details of every person who lives in the property.
If you don’t tell us, your household may become ineligible to receive social housing assistance.
Requesting a review
During the four (4) month exit period, you can ask for a review of your circumstances.
Ask your nearest Housing Service Centre for the review form and what evidence is needed to support the request.
We will assess your circumstances and the supporting evidence you provide, and tell you in writing whether you’re still eligible for housing assistance and can stay in your home or have to move out.
If the outcome of this review is that you are eligible for ongoing housing assistance, we will continue to regularly review your circumstances.
Changes during the exit period
If your circumstances change during the four (4) month exit period, please contact your nearest Housing Service Centre to request a review of your circumstances.
You will need to give us details of the change and evidence supporting the request.
Changes after you move out
If your circumstances change after you move out of the property, you can reapply for housing assistance.
Contact your nearest Housing Service Centre for more information.
Assistance with private rental
If you need assistance and support to find a suitable property in the private rental market, RentConnect may be able to help.
RentConnect offers a tailored assistance package that provides targeted advice, referrals and information to help you find and secure rental accommodation in the private market.
Contact your nearest Housing Service Centre for more information.
Buying your rental home
Ineligible tenant/s can apply to buy the property they live in through our Sales to Tenants program. However, not all homes are available for sale.