Housing is a basic Human Right. It is also essential to your physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Social and Aboriginal Housing
In Mt Druitt there are many services that aim to provide people with low incomes with affordable and safe housing.
Social Housing is low-cost housing managed by the Department of Communities and Justice. It includes Aboriginal Housing and social housing managed by other community providers.
To be able to access Social Housing, you must:
- Be able to prove your identity
- Be a citizen and permanent resident of NSW
- Have a low household income, under a certain limit
(there is a test for this – see right/ below) - Not own any assets or property you could live in
- Be able to keep a tenancy with appropriate support in place
- Be over 18 (but not always)
- Be able to make repayments on any other debts you owe to former social housing providers
- Be a First Nations person if applying for Aboriginal Housing, and be able to prove this through a letter from your Local Aboriginal Land Council or other Aboriginal Community Organisation
The household income test
To be able to access social housing your household income has to be below a certain amount.
You can calculate your household’s maximum gross weekly income by looking at the table below. Gross income is your income before tax has been taken out.
| Household members (regardless of relationship) | Maximum gross weekly income (before tax) |
| First adult (single) | $690 |
| Each additional adult (18 years or over) | Add $260 |
| First child (under 18 years) | Add $340 |
| Each additional child (under 18 years) | Add $115 |
| If someone in your household receives a: | |
| Disability allowance (per person) | Add $115 |
| Exceptional disability allowance (per person) | Add $260 |
For example:
Cathy lives in a household with 1 adult and 3 children. She earns $900 a week (before tax). The calculation for Cathy would be:
| This is calculated in the following way: | |||
| Adult | $690 | + | |
| First Child | $340 | ||
| Additional Child | $115 | ||
| Additional Child | $115 | ||
| = $1,260 | |||
As Cathy only earns $900 per week, her income is below $1,260. Cathy would likely be able to be eligible for social housing.
*These numbers are correct as of November 2022. For more information check the following webpage.
To Apply for Social Housing:
1800 422 322
What you will need to apply:
You must provide evidence for yourself and each person on your application aged 18 years and over. If you and your partner are under 18 years of age, you must also provide this evidence.
You must provide evidence of:
- Your identity (this must include either a Medicare card, drivers licence or passport)
- All your sources of income and assets
- Your residency in NSW or an established need to live in NSW
- Citizenship or permanent residency of Australia
- Any land or property you or anyone on your application owns or part owns
- Your ability to maintain a tenancy, without support or with appropriate support in place
- If you have a former debt to a social housing provider, you must show your ability to repay that debt
- An ongoing medical condition or disability that impacts on the type of housing you or a member of your household need and evidence to support what is supports are required
- Your Aboriginality if applying for Aboriginal Housing (this could include a letter from your Local Aboriginal Land Council or another Aboriginal Community Organisation)
Depending on your situation, you may also be asked for other information or documentation.
For help with the online application process, follow the guide on this link: www.facs.nsw.gov.au/myhousing/housing-application-online-help
What happens after I apply?
If you are approved for social housing, you will be put on the NSW Housing Register and contacted by the social housing providers you have chosen, when a suitable property becomes available for you.
If you are unsuccessful in your application, you can also contact Link Wentworth. There is more information about Link Wentworth in the next section.
People With Disability Australia may be able to help if your application has been rejected
1800 422 015
Other Housing Support in Mt Druitt: Link Wentworth and Link2Home
Link Wentworth
Link Wentworth offers a number of housing supports:
- Social Housing for people on low incomes
- Homelessness support
- Disability Housing
- Affordable Housing (private rentals for cheaper prices)
- Support to leave family and domestic violence
If you were not successful in getting social housing, Link Wentworth may be able to offer other affordable housing options.
You can contact Link Wentworth via phone, online or in person:
(02) 4777 8000
Suite 1002, Level 1, 29-57 Station Street, Penrith 2770
Link2Home
Link2Home is a 24 hour, 7 day per week telephone service for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
It provides:
- Information about local services
- An assessment to decide what kind of help you need
- Referrals to support services, temporary accommodation and other services
There is no one definition of what it means to be homeless. It can mean:
- Being without shelter of any kind – for example sleeping rough
- Having a place to sleep that is temporary – for example crisis accommodation, staying with friends, couch surfing, staying in a refuge
- Living in unsuitable housing – for example living in a car or in housing that is severely overcrowded
You may be at risk of homelessness if:
- You have a low or unstable income
- You are experiencing domestic or family violence
- You need supports to maintain your living situation
- Your lease or other housing is about to end
- You have a disability or poor mental health
- You are being discriminated against
You can contact Link2Home via telephone:
1800 152 152
Renting and Your Rights
In NSW your rights are protected by the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 if you rent:
• Private rental accommodation
• Department of Communities and Justice Housing
• Aboriginal Housing
• Other Social or Community Housing
Your Rights
Under the law you have the right to:
- Be given a copy of your residential tenancy agreement (which tells you the rules that you and your landlord must follow), a condition report and the NSW Fair Trading tenant checklist
- Have the place rented to you in a reasonable state of cleanliness and fit to live in
- Be given rent receipts (unless you pay into a bank account)
- Be offered a way to pay your rent to the landlord that does not cost you additional fees
- Be notified of increases in rent
- Have quiet enjoyment and use of the place – the landlord/agent must not get in the way of this
- Have reasonable peace, comfort and privacy
- Have reasonable locks and security
- Have reasonable repairs and maintenance done
- Be given permission to make changes that are minor, e.g. installing curtains or child safety measures
- Be repaid for any urgent repairs that you have paid for – up to $1000
- Apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal for orders if the landlord has broken the tenancy agreement
- Be given written notice of the landlord wanting to end the tenancy agreement
- Be notified of the change of name and address of the landlord or their agent
- Refuse the landlord access except in certain circumstances. The Landlord must give you notice – and usually this should be in writing and at least 2 days ahead of their visit
- Not to be unlawfully evicted
Your Responsibilities
The law also covers what you must do, as someone renting a property. You must:
- Pay rent on time
- Pay water usage and utility charges (electricity, gas or oil) on time, if applicable
- Care for the property
- Pay for any damage caused by you or your guests
- Report to the landlord/ agent if any any repairs or maintenance is needed
- Not make changes or additions without the landlord’s saying it is okay
- Not change, remove or add a lock or security device without the landlord saying it is okay (except in certain domestic violence situations)
- Not use or allow the premises to be used for an illegal purpose
- Not cause a nuisance. A nuisance could include things like your dogs barking or things that can be bad for you or your neighbours health such as keeping excessive rubbish on your property.
- Not interfere with the peace, comfort or privacy of neighbours
- Give correct written notice when you leave the property
- Leave the property in a similar condition to when you first rented the property, except for normal wear and tear. This might include things like faded paint, scuff ed wooden floors or worn carpet
You should never stop paying rent – even if your landlord has done the wrong thing. This could get you in trouble.
Getting repairs done
Your rights
You have the right to have broken things or problems fixed, and for your housing to be secure.
Your landlord must make sure the property is kept in reasonable repair and is secure. They must:
- Fix things that are broken or damaged (unless you caused the damage)
- Take care of issues such as mould
- Make sure you have working locks that keep your property secure
They must give you 2 days notice if someone is coming to inspect/look at or fix the problem, unless you have agreed otherwise or there is an emergency or urgent repairs need to be made.
Your Responsibilities
As a renter, you must:
- Keep the property reasonably clean
- Tell the landlord about any damage or disrepair
- Leave the property as close as possible to the condition it was in when you started renting (except for ‘fair wear and tear’)
- Not deliberately damage the property or make any changes or renovations without the landlord’s saying it is okay
Getting repairs done
If something needs to be repaired you should:
- Tell the landlord, real estate agent or housing provider what needs to be done and when you need it done by (in writing if possible)
- Keep a copy of any letters or write down conversations you’ve had about the problem
If you live in social housing managed by the Department of Communities and Justice, you can lodge your repairs online via this link
Urgent repairs
Urgent problems include:
- Problems with gas, electricity or water supply
- Problems with hot water, cooking facilities, heating/cooling or laundry facilities
- Anything that is unsafe or insecure
Examples might be a broken toilet, burst water pipe or severely leaking roof.
If you need urgent repairs, you have the right to get a licensed tradesperson to fix the problem (up to $1000).
If possible talk to a lawyer before you do this, to make sure you’re doing the right thing. See “Where to Get Help”
Your landlord must make sure the property is kept in reasonable repair and is secure. They must:
- Fix things that are broken or damaged (unless you caused the damage)
- Take care of issues such as mould
- Make sure you have working locks that keep your property secure
They must give you 2 days notice if someone is coming to inspect/look at or fix the problem, unless you have agreed otherwise or there is an emergency or urgent repairs need to be made.
Your Responsibilities
As a renter, you must:
- Keep the property reasonably clean
- Tell the landlord about any damage or disrepair
- Leave the property as close as possible to the condition it was in when you started renting (except for ‘fair wear and tear’)
- Not deliberately damage the property or make any changes or renovations without the landlord’s saying it is okay
There are some rules you should follow.
YOU MUST:
Have given the landlord the opportunity to fix the problem (in writing if possible). The landlord must have either refused to fix the problem, been given time but not acted, or not been contactable before you fix the problem yourself
Use a qualified tradesperson
Keep all receipts
Tell the landlord of the urgent repairs you have had done and give them copies of the receipts as soon as possible
YOU MUST NOT:
Stop paying your rent – this could get you into trouble
Spend more than $1,000
Use an unqualified tradesperson
Get repair work done yourself if it is not urgent
If you cannot afford to have non-urgent repairs fixed and the landlord has not fixed the issue, you can apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal for orders.
The Tribunal can order landlords to:
- Do the repairs
- Pay you money for loss that you have suffered (for example if your clothing was damaged or you were unable to stay in the property because of the thing that was not repaired)
- Give you a discount off your rent
You must apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal within 3 months of the issue.
Applications to the Tribunal cost $51 or $13 for most people on benefits.
You can apply via this link.
A lawyer can help you apply. See the Where to get help section below.
Non-urgent repairs
If you have non-urgent repairs that the landlord or housing provider has not fixed, you should not pay to get these problems fixed yourself.
You can apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, who can order your landlord to:
- Do the repairs
- Pay you money for loss that you have suffered (for example if your clothing was damaged or you were unable to stay in the property because of the thing that was not repaired)
- Give you a discount off your rent
You must apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal within 3 months of the issue.
Applications to the Tribunal cost $51 or $13 for most people on benefits.
You can apply via this link.
A lawyer can help you apply. See the Where to get help section below.
Disability Discrimination and Housing
In general renters are not allowed to make any changes or renovations without their landlord’s consent.
Reasonable Adjustments could include:
- Adding handrails
- Changing taps or handles
- Changing the colour of walls or doors
- Adding a ramp
If you live in Social Housing and your housing in not suitable for you because of your disability, for example it has stairs and you cannot use stairs, a reasonable adjustment may include asking your landlord for a transfer to a property that does not have stairs.
See our disability discrimination section for more information.
However, you have the right to ask for ‘reasonable adjustments’ because of your disability.
Domestic Violence and Your Renting Rights
Domestic and family violence is when there is violent, abusive or bullying behaviour between family members or people who live together. It can include abuse from:
- A partner or ex-partner
- Brother or sister
- Parents
- Children
- Grandparents
- Aunts and uncles
- People who live in the same household
Abuse is not only physical violence – it is any behaviour meant to control, dominate, humiliate or scare the other person. This can include:
- Physical violence such as punching, hitting, kicking, pushing and throwing things at someone
- Sexual abuse including forcing sex or sexual acts on someone
- Emotional and psychological abuse
- Stalking, harassment and intimidation
- Verbal abuse including threats, insults and put-downs
- Controlling behaviour including control around money and control around who someone can see or where they can go
- Damage to property
- Cruelty to pets
- Threats to do any of the above behaviour
Domestic violence does not have to be many acts over a period of time. One act of abuse or violence is still domestic violence.
If you are experiencing domestic violence call
1800 656 463. If you are or someone else is in immediate danger call 000.
Your Rights
If you are experiencing domestic or family violence, there are special rules about renting to help you to be safe and escape violence.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, you may be able to:
- End your tenancy without giving your landlord notice
- End the tenancy of the person that is being violent
- Change your locks without your landlord agreeing
- Avoid having to pay for damage to the property that has happened because of violence
- Get your bond back from a co-tenant (someone who shares the lease with you)
- Get help to have any of your property or possessions left in your house, returned to you
You can also apply for an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO).
These make orders that stop a person that has been violent towards you from doing certain things like coming to your house, coming within a certain distance of you or contacting you.
If you would like to end your tenancy early due to domestic violence, you should:
- Write a letter to your landlord, real estate agent or housing provider (see here for a letter template you can use)
- Provide evidence of the domestic violence. This might include:
- A criminal conviction against the violent person for a domestic violence offence
- An Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) that is protecting you, if you have one
- A declaration by a health practitioner, social worker, government worker such as child welfare officer, domestic or sexual violence worker or professional from refuge or emergency accommodation
Where to get help
1. Western Sydney Tenants Service
Legal advice and advocacy for people renting in Western Sydney
(02) 8833 0933
2. Aboriginal Legal Service
Legal advice and advocacy for Aboriginal people with renting problems
(02) 9833 3314
3. Australian Centre for Disability Law
Legal advice and advocacy for people with disability in NSW, who have domestic violence related problems with housing
1800 800 708
The Domestic Violence Line provides
counselling and referrals
1800 656 463
