Rentstart Move financial assistance

You can apply for financial help through Rentstart Move if you are:

• ineligible for a further public housing lease and are required to vacate their property
• want to leave public housing voluntarily.

We may be able to assist you with a loan of up to 100% of your rental bond, which is repayable to Homes NSW.

If the landlord or agent makes no claim, you will get your payments back at the end of the tenancy.

For more information about how Bond Loans work, visit Rentstart Bond Loan.

Eligibility

You are eligible for Rentstart Move if:

• you are leaving public housing voluntarily or because of changes to your income or assets
• your rent and all other Homes NSW accounts have a nil balance or are in credit
• you do not own or part own a property
• you have less than $5,000 in cash assets
• your private accommodation rent is no more than 50% of your household’s total gross weekly income. For example, if your household’s total gross weekly income is $500, to be eligible for Rentstart Move assistance, the weekly rent must be $250 or less.

When to apply

You can apply for Rentstart Move as soon as you find private rental accommodation, even if you still live in public housing. If you have already moved into the new property you are not eligible for Rentstart Move.

Finding the right private accommodation

Finding the right place to rent when you leave public housing can seem difficult at first. We have factsheets with advice on private rental. You can access them online, at your nearest housing office or at a participating community housing provider office.