Paying Your Rent
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Use Centrepay to make regular deductions from your Centrelink payment. Centrepay is a voluntary and easy payment option available to Centrelink customers.
Go to Centrepay Services Australia for more information on how to set up your Centrepay deductions.
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Information for BPAY payments are on your Tenant Statement.
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A post bill card will be issued to you and is uniquely coded to your tenancy.
This option can be used for any payment on Home in Place invoices for water or maintenance or your weekly rent payments.
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A bank cheque or Australia Post money order payment can be made by post or in person at a Branch.
Please note if you post the payment it must be received by Home in Place on the due day of your payment and must clearly identify the tenant’s name and property address.
Commonwealth Rent Assistance
Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) is a non-taxable income supplement paid through Centrelink™ to individuals and families who rent in the private rental market (e.g. Social Housing). It aims to address basic living costs by reducing the proportion of household income that is spent on housing.
The subsidised rent is based on a percentage of assessable household income plus 100% of the household’s entitlement to CRA. This is subject to the qualification that the subsidised rent must not exceed market rent.
More information on CRA eligibility rules, including minimum rent amounts and maximum amounts of CRA payable for various income types, can be obtained from the Centrelink™ website: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/
Market Rent & Rebated Rent
Market rent is the actual rent amount for the property, whereas rebated (or subsidised) rent is the rent that is applicable to a tenant based on their income calculation and eligibility.
A rebated or subsidised rent amount will never exceed the market rent amount.
Calculating Social Housing Rent
Your household’s total gross assessable income will be used to calculate your rent subsidy and the rent you will pay.
You will pay rent based on a percentage of your total household’s assessable income or the market rent for the property in which you live – whichever is lowest.
Please note that if successfully placed in Community Housing, you will need to pay rent two (2) weeks in advance.
For more information please refer to our Policies page.
Rent Reviews
Home in Place will undertake a general income assessment and rent review approximately every six months for all tenants.
Home in Place must also review its market rents annually to make sure that the rate at which market rent is assessed is in line with current valuations of properties. Tenants will be notified of any adjustments to the market rent.
Home in Place will undertake a general income assessment and rent review approximately every six months for all social housing tenants.
NRAS Tenants
All tenants housed under the National Rental Affordability Scheme are required to participate in an annual eligibility review in order to receive a rebated rent. Rents for NRAS properties will not exceed 80% of the market rent.
For more information please refer to our Policies page
Rent Arrears
If rent falls into arrears at any time, the Tenancy Relations Officer will work with the tenant to set a repayment plan to catch up the money owing. The Tenancy Relations Officer may ask the tenant to complete a Financial Hardship Form.
If tenants do not contact Home in Place regarding their rent arrears, their tenancy may be at risk. If the arrears period is more than fourteen (14) days and contact has not been made with the Tenancy Relation Officer, a Notice of Termination will be issued.
For more information please refer to our Policies page.
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Financial Hardship Form
Rent It Keep It
Home in Place branches run Rent It Keep It programs to support our tenants in providing them with the opportunity to attend these programs and gain an understanding of what is needed to successfully sustain a tenancy.
Our Housing Access team also run quarterly sessions for people who are homeless or in transitional properties with little experience in the private rental market or who have had previous problems with their tenancies in the past.
For more information about Rent It Keep It, contact our Housing Access team on 1300 333 733.
Rental Bonds
A bond is payable when signing your Residential Tenancy Agreement. Home in Place requires tenants to pay a rental bond at the commencement of a tenancy.
In NSW, the maximum bond payable is equal to four weeks market rent. In Queensland, you will need to pay four weeks of subsidised rent as bond payment.
If you are unable pay the amount in full, please speak with your Tenancy Relations Officer prior to signing your lease, as we may be able to arrange for a payment plan.
All rental bond payments will be remitted to the relevant Bond Board in accordance with the legislation.
For more information please refer to our Policies page.
In NSW, the maximum bond payable is equal to four weeks market rent. In Queensland, you will need to pay four weeks of subsidised rent as bond payment.
Water Usage
Home in Place tenants living will be charged water usage in accordance with the relevant legislation.
For more information please refer to our Policies page.
Water usage charges are identified separately on tenant statements and will need to be paid separately to rent.
Bond Loans & Rental Grants | QLD
Tenants can apply with the Department of Housing and Public Works for rental grants and interest-free bond loans.
Bond Loans
A bond loan is an interest-free loan of up to a maximum of four weeks rent for eligible people who cannot afford to pay a full rental bond. It must be repaid.
Rental Grants
A rental grant is a one-off grant of two weeks rent to help meet some of the costs of moving into rental accommodation. A rental grant helps people experiencing a housing crisis. It does not have to be repaid.
For further information on Bond Loans & Rental Grants – Click Here
RentConnect | QLD
The RentConnect Advisory Service provides practical advice and information on how to find and apply for a suitable property. The service also helps people complete a rental application and links them to local real estate agents and community services.
For more information about RentConnect – Click Here
No Interest Loans Scheme | NSW
The No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) can provide eligible applicants with interest-free loans.
Usually these loans are between $800 – $1200 over a period of 12 – 18 months, and can help tenants to purchase essential items such as furniture or white goods.
NILS is designed to enable people to access fair, safe and equitable credit for goods and services.
For further information on NILS – Click Here
