Information for tenants
This page provides information for tenants living in homes which are being prioritised for Home Buyback under the NSW Government's Resilient Homes Program (RHP).
Lease or other tenancy arrangements
The NSW Reconstruction Authority is committed to supporting tenants and occupiers who are living in properties which have been prioritised for buyback under the RHP.
Sale contracts for buyback properties which are subject to a lease or other tenancy arrangement will include a minimum six-month settlement period. The minimum settlement period will apply to tenanted/occupied properties even where the current lease or occupancy agreement requires less notice.
The purpose of this minimum settlement period is to provide tenants/occupiers with time to find suitable alternative accommodation.
Engagement with tenants
The application form for the buyback program asks homeowners whether their property is subject to a lease or other tenancy agreement. Once a home has been prioritised for buyback, the NSW Reconstruction Authority will connect with tenants/occupiers who have been identified through the application process.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority will provide tenants/occupiers with referral pathways to assist with finding alternate accommodation. If a buyback offer is accepted by a homeowner, the authority will include the minimum settlement period in the sale contract to assist tenants/occupants.
Minimum six-month settlement
If a lease or other tenancy agreement has a term that is longer than the minimum settlement period, the authority is offering delayed settlements to allow homeowners to honour those existing arrangements and serve any relevant notices in accordance with NSW Fair Trading tenancy laws.
Where less than six-months’ notice is required under a current lease or occupancy agreement, the authority will still require the minimum settlement period to assist tenants/occupiers.
Should a tenant/occupier reach an agreement with a homeowner to vacate the property prior to the end of the minimum settlement period, the authority may agree to an earlier settlement at the homeowner’s request.
Referral Pathways for Tenants
The NSW Reconstruction Authority will support tenants/occupiers of prioritised buyback homes to advise them that the home may be proceeding under the buyback stream of the program. This allows tenants/occupiers more time before a buyback is accepted.
If a buyback offer is accepted and proceeds to the contract phase, the Authority will provide tenants/occupiers with referral pathways to assist with finding suitable alternate accommodation or other support.
Tenants/occupiers can access support and advice about tenancy arrangements by visiting Northern Rivers Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Service.
If you require more information on minimum notice periods under the tenancy agreements visit Fair Trading NSW.
Recovery Support Services and Mental Health Services
Recovery is a long and difficult process. Each person and community progress through their recovery at different speeds. Support services can be found on the Healthy North Coast website. Should you require free, confidential one to one support, please contact Lifeline: 24 hour support is available on 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online.
If you have been affected by floods, Recovery Support Services (RSS) (PDF 216.57KB) are available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
The NSW Reconstruction Authority can provide information and referral pathways to support agencies and real estate services throughout the Northern Rivers region. If required, the Authority can make initial contact to a real estate agency to assist with commencing finding suitable alternate accommodation.
Should you wish to understand more about other potential housing assistance, please visit Housing Pathways.
Yes. Your lease arrangement will remain in place as landlords are required to comply with any existing tenancy arrangements in accordance with NSW legislation. For more information, please visit Giving Notice.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority is offering delayed settlements to homeowners to allow proper notice periods to be provided, as required by the residential tenancy legislation.
No. Homes being prioritised for a Home Buyback are in areas with more frequent, high and fast floods. There is a severe risk of future flood damage and a high risk to life in these areas. This includes the greatest risk to life to both residents and emergency response agencies sent to rescue them. For these reasons, the Authority is not able to lease these homes as part of the RHP. You can learn more about how homes are prioritised in our How homes are prioritised fact sheet. (PDF 339.16KB)
If you are a homeowner who has been prioritised for a buyback, or received a letter of offer, and have tenants in your property you can learn more about our requirements in the Home Buyback fact sheet (PDF 139.24KB).
You can also contact your case manager via phone 1800 844 085 or by email resilienthomesprogram@nrrc.nsw.gov.au.
More Information
Contact us: email resilienthomesprogram@nrrc.nsw.gov.au or phone 1800 844 085.
Visit one of our Information Pop-ups.
Download this information in a PDF
Home Buyback Fact Sheet Information for Tenants (PDF 78.26KB)