During a tenancy - Lease reviews

1. Evidence requirements to determine length of lease

Income

Any documents provided as proof of income must be original. For more information, go to Proof of income and assets.

Ongoing access to care or support program

Formal care

A letter from the organisation that provides the care or support program. The letter must detail the type of care or support provided.

If the client is a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participant, a copy of a NDIS support plan is recommended.

Care provided by an individual

A copy from Centrelink of:

• their Centrelink statement confirming receipt of the Carer Payment or Carer Allowance, or
• a Circumstance Review Form, or
• the concession card of the person receiving the care. The concession card must identify their carer.

Disability

A Centrelink statement confirming receipt of one of the following income types:

• Disability Support Pension
• Carer Payment
• Carer Allowance
• Mobility Allowance

Veterans

A Department of Veteran Affairs statement confirming receipt of one of the following service pensions:

• Age Service Pension
• Invalidity Service Pension
• Partner Service Pension

Persons aged 65 years or over

• birth certificate, or
• passport.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person

To apply for housing services specifically available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, they must meet the AHO Eligibility for Services policy. For more information see item 3 on the Evidence Requirements Information Sheet.

Participation in a Transition to Work Program or Community Participation Program

A letter from the program provider.

A client of the NSW Trustee and Guardian or the Public Guardian

A letter of confirmation from the NSW Trustee and Guardian or the Public Guardian.

Young people leaving Community Services, out-of-home care, or juvenile detention and in receipt of a Youth Disability Supplement

• a letter of confirmation from Community Services (CS) or an accredited out-of-home care provider, or a letter of discharge from Juvenile Justice (JJ), and
• a Centrelink income statement.

2. Income limits at lease review

The maximum household income (before tax) must not exceed the limits listed in the table below. These limits are set at a higher level than the income limits for entry to social housing.

Members of a household who have a disability (permanent or likely to be permanent), medical condition or permanent injury that results in significant ongoing financial costs being incurred, may qualify for a disability allowance. This allowance raises the lease review income eligibility limit for each household member who demonstrates that they have an enduring disability, medical condition or injury.

Where a tenant can demonstrate significant ongoing financial costs that exceed the standard disability allowance, they may qualify for an exceptional disability allowance. Homes NSW will apply this allowance instead of, but not in addition to, the disability allowance a tenant may have already qualified for.

Homes NSW applies these allowances in recognition of the additional financial burden that medical costs may have on the household income of clients with a disability or medical condition.

For more information on disabilities, go to Examples of disability, medical or permanent injury expenses and Proof of ongoing expenses due to disability, medical condition or permanent injury Evidence requirements for an exemption.

3. Evidence requirements for an exemption

Exemption relating to a disability and ongoing medical condition

A letter from one or more of the following support providers demonstrating how a tenant or other household member is likely to be placed at serious risk to health or harm if they moved from public housing:

• a medical specialist
• a health worker such as a community nurse, occupational therapist or physiotherapist
• a psychiatrist, psychologist or mental health worker
• support organisations such as Home Care Services, Community Nursing, Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS)
• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Exemption relating to vulnerable children or young people at risk

A document which demonstrates how a child or young person is likely to be placed at risk of abuse or neglect if the household is moved from public housing. This could be one or more of the following:

• a report from a doctor or specialist
• a letter from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) or main support provider
• a report from a human service professional such as a social worker, caseworker, psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor
• a referral letter from a DCJ child protection worker requesting assistance from Homes NSW
• a letter from the NSW Police Force, or
• a current Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) accompanied by one or more of the above documents.

Exemption relating to maintaining education, employment, training or apprenticeship

A letter from one or more of the following providers demonstrating how a tenant or household member’s ability to continue with employment, training or education would be jeopardised if they moved from public housing:

• school principal
• employer
• university or TAFE course coordinator
• other employment or training professional.

The support letter must also identify:

• a need to access employment or an apprenticeship at least once per week on an ongoing basis, or
• a need to access special education or training facilities at least once a week for a period of more than 6 months from the lease end date.

Exemption relating to affordability and accessibility of alternative housing

The unavailability of affordable and accessible private rental accommodation can be substantiated by:

• an internet search conducted by Homes NSW for properties for lease, or
• business cards and rental listings from real estate agents provided by the tenant, which state that the agency has no accommodation that is affordable or appropriate for the tenant, and
• a report from a health professional or advocate that states the reasons for needing a specific dwelling type where accessibility to private rental accommodation is an issue.

4. Evidence requirements for a change of circumstances after lease review

Tenants must provide relevant information before Homes NSW will consider a reassessment. If Homes NSW determines the tenant is eligible for an extension to their lease due to a change of circumstances, Homes NSW will offer a maximum two year lease extension in accommodation that is appropriate to the size and needs of the household.

For a change of circumstances related to a risk to a household member which is described in the assessment criteria for exemptions, see the evidence requirements above.

Evidence requirements for a change of circumstances related to loss of employment resulting in the household income decreasing below the income limits at lease review

• All household members need to supply current income details.
• Household members must provide evidence of being in receipt of a Centrelink benefit when applying for a reassessment due to loss of employment.
• Household members who have reduced earnings or a reduced number of hours of employment must provide a statement signed by their employer. The statement must confirm:
  • the number of hours worked, and
  • when the arrangement commenced, and
  • the regular weekly income, and
  • the permanency of the arrangement.

Evidence requirements for other changes in circumstances, including a change in household complement resulting in a decrease in income below the income limits at lease review

Documentation from two or more of the following that identifies the former household member’s new address:

• supply authorities such as gas, electricity, water and telephone providers
• real estate agents
• a tenancy agreement
• a driver’s licence
• a Centrelink statement
• a statutory declaration confirming occupancy at an alternative location. This may be provided by the person with whom the former household member is now residing.