POLICY STATEMENT
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to outline the process for commencement of a new Social Housing tenancy with SCH.
2. DEFINITIONS
• Social housing is property funded by the NSW Department of Family and Community Services.
3. COVERAGE
This policy applies to all SCH managed Social Housing properties.
4. PRINCIPALS
SCH aims to ensure that tenants understand their agreement with us, have information on their rights and responsibilities as tenants and can sustain their tenancy. This may mean they need access to an interpreter or advocate when speaking with us, or access to other support agencies. If these services are required, we can help to arrange them.
The standard NSW Residential Tenancy Agreement is used for SCH tenancies.
SCH will provide security of tenure for tenants to the extent possible within the constraints of program guidelines. This means that SCH tenants will not be evicted, provided that they comply with the terms of the tenancy agreement in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 and continue to be eligible for social housing.
Rent payable during the tenancy is calculated in accordance with the SCH Rent Policy.
SCH requires all tenants to pay a bond of four weeks’ market rent. If a tenant is unable to pay the bond in full on commencement of the tenancy, SCH will ask tenants to apply for bond assistance through Rentstart Bond Loan. Tenants will be assisted by SCH with the bond loan process. If the Rentstart Bond Loan is not approved, then SCH will allow the tenant to pay it within a maximum of twenty-six weeks from commencement of the lease. The bond will be lodged with the Rental Bond Board and retained until you are no longer a tenant of SCH.
Tenants must tell us before signing the Agreement if any other people will be living at the property or if they wish to apply to keep a pet. Approval of additional occupants and pets is at the discretion of SCH and in accordance with SCH related policies.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES
Housing Officers are responsible for establishing tenancies.
Only staff delegated under the SCH Delegation of Authority can sign Residential Tenancy Agreements unless a written sub-delegation has been issued by the CEO.
Documents Related to this Policy
Related Policies
- T5 Pets
- T8 Rent – Social Housing
- T11b Managing Non-Rent Arrears
Other Related Documents
- Lease Checklist Form