You may be eligible for a Private Rental Subsidy that can help you afford a home in the private rental market. A Private Rental Subsidy provides eligible clients with financial support to help rent a home and maintain a lease. This is a medium-term measure until Homes NSW can offer you a home in social housing.
When you apply for housing assistance, you may also be eligible for a Private Rental Subsidy.
To be eligible for Private Rental Subsidy you must:
- be approved for priority status on the NSW Housing Register
- have priority status on the NSW Housing Register
- have a disability; or
- be at risk in your current accommodation.
Assessing your eligibility for social housing
To be eligible for social housing you must:
- meet Australian residency requirements
- have income and assets within the eligibility limits
- be able to meet the responsibilities of your tenancy with or without supports.
For information about how to apply, visit apply for housing.
Assessing your eligibility for priority social housing
When you apply for housing assistance that includes social housing, we will assess your eligibility for priority housing assistance. To be eligible for priority assistance, you must meet all 3 of the following criteria:
Eligible for social housing, and
In urgent need of housing, and
Unable to resolve that need yourself in the private rental market.
You can find more information on the Evidence requirements information sheet.
We will contact you with the results of your application. We will also tell you about any more supports for which you are eligible, including Private Rental Subsidy.
If you are eligible for Private Rental Subsidy we will provide:
- a list of approved suburbs, and
- advice on the reasonable rent for these locations (for your household), also known as benchmark rent.
Finding a private rental home
For more information on finding a private rental home, visit renting a place to live.
To receive the Private Rental Subsidy you will need to:
- find a home in an approved suburb, and
- sign a lease at reasonable or benchmark rent. Reasonable or benchmark rent is based on the type of home (house, unit), number of bedrooms, and location.
You will only be able to receive a Private Rental Subsidy for a home that is similar (type, number of bedrooms and location) to what you are likely to be allocated in social housing, and in suburbs where there are existing social housing properties.
When you find a home, you need to complete the property information form with your landlord or real estate agent. We will then assess the suitability of the home and let you know if you will receive Private Rental Subsidy.
Once your home is approved for a Private Rental Subsidy we will ask you for a copy of the signed lease. We will then let you know how much we will contribute to your rent. We will pay this directly to the landlord or real estate agency electronically.
If your new home is not approved for a Private Rental Subsidy, you will be responsible for paying the full rent amount. This may mean that you will need to find another home.
Raising tenancy issues or requests
As the tenant, you are responsible for your lease and should direct enquiries to your landlord or real estate agency. We are not able to assist with any maintenance or tenancy issues.
Rent increases
If your rent is increased, you may not be eligible for an increase to your subsidy. You may be responsible for paying more rent or you may need to find another home.
Financial help for renting
For more information on financial support, visit get help with rent and moving costs.
Changes in your circumstances
While you are receiving a Private Rental Subsidy you must tell us about any changes to your household circumstances within 28 days. You must tell us about changes in household members, household income, market rent, your address, or your landlord or real estate agent.
We will review your subsidy on a regular basis. If you do not tell us about any change in your circumstances, you may need to repay money.
Receiving an offer of social housing
If you reject a reasonable offer of social housing while you are receiving a Private Rental Subsidy, your subsidy will stop. In this case, you may still be eligible to receive another offer of social housing.