A tenancy is an agreement which sets out your rights and responsibilities for renting a house. This means you are paying to stay there. You do not own it yourself. Communities is your landlord.
There must be a written agreement between you and your landlord. This is called a tenancy agreement or ‘lease’.
The tenancy agreement outlines the responsibilities of both you as a tenant and your landlord. You both must sign and agree to the content in the tenancy agreement.
Your Housing Services Officer will discuss the agreement with you and answer any questions you might have before you sign it.
If you would like any more information on your rights and responsibilities as a tenant please read the Tenant Information fact sheet and DMIRS renting a home page.
Please note: Tenants of housing in remote Aboriginal communities are not required to pay a security bond before entering into a tenancy.
Moving in
When you are signing up to live in your new home, your Housing Services Officer will complete a property condition report with you. The report prevents any disputes over responsibility of property damage on vacating a tenancy or when evictions occur.
It is important that you tell your Housing Services Officer of any damage that is already present. If possible, take photos of any sighted damage as soon as practicable.
What to look for:
In the event damage is identified in the property condition report, you will not be charged for repairs.
If you don't sign the report, Communities will assume you were satisfied, and the property was in good repair when you moved in. You will be held responsible for any damage to the property when you move out.
Looking after the property
As your landlord, Communities is responsible for keeping the property in a safe condition. As a tenant you share responsibility for looking after the property. You must keep the property clean, tidy and pest-free. If something breaks down or needs repair, report it to your Housing Services Officer immediately.
Being a good neighbour
Every tenant is expected to be a good neighbour.
It is recognised that being a good neighbour is a mutual compromise as everyone is entitled to peaceful enjoyment of their property.
Disruptive behaviour is a breach of your Tenancy Agreement and is treated very seriously by Communities. For more information, please see the Disruptive Behaviour Management Policy.
If your behaviour breaches Policy, you may be evicted from the property.
Improving the property
If you want to make large improvements to the property, you will need to get permission from your Housing Services Officer.
Improvements you might be able to make include:
Obtaining approval first is imperative.
If you do not obtain approval you may have to remove any structures or renovations at your own cost.
If your work is approved, you will be responsible for organising and paying for all materials and work carried out on the property, and for ensuring that the work is compliant with all legal requirements.
When you vacate the property, you will be responsible for ensuring there are no drill holes left in the walls or other damage to the property.
If you are in doubt, contact your nearest Housing office during business hours.
Inspections
Your Housing Services Officer will attend your allocated property to complete a property inspection up to two times per year.
The inspection is for the purpose of making sure that you are maintaining the property in accordance with your tenancy agreement.
You will be provided notice prior to the inspection.
If you are experiencing difficulties maintaining the property, services from local shires or community groups may be able to help. Ask your Housing Services Officer how to find some of these services.
Your Housing Services Officer can also visit the property throughout the year to see how you’re going. These visits are outlined in your tenancy agreement.
Moving out
You will need to let your Housing Services Officer know that you are vacating the property a minimum of 21 days before. The property must be left clean and tidy and in good repair.
If you do not do this, Communities may charge you for cleaning up or for repairing damage. This is called tenant liability.
Your Housing Services Officer will compare the condition of the property when you moved in, to the condition when you vacated.
They will look at the property condition report that you filled in when you first moved in.