Managing rent and water arrears in public housing
Tenants of Homes NSW and the Aboriginal Housing Office are responsible for paying rent and water charges on time to avoid arrears, which could lead to eviction.
As a Homes NSW or Aboriginal Housing Office tenant, you’re responsible for paying rent and water charges.
These payments are essential for us to provide services and maintain your property. If your payments are late, your account will go into arrears, which could lead to you losing your home.
Frequently asked questions
We will always let you know if you are behind on your rent or water charges. Usually, we send a letter, but we may also call, visit, or send a message.
You can also check your rent statement or call your client service officer to ask them to check about your account.
When we visit you at home, we will be able to check your account information and help set up an arrears payment plan with you.
You can check your account balances, view see your transaction payment history and make secure payments online through your MyHousing Account or the MyHousing app on your mobile phone.
If you are struggling with money or falling behind on payments, contact your Client Service Officer as soon as possible.
The earlier you contact your Client Service Officer the, the sooner we can help you find a solution. We can connect you with support services or help you access financial counselling.
You can pay your missed rent or water charges in full or set up a payment plan. If you can’t pay everything at once, we will work with you to create an affordable plan.
You can also make secure payments online anytime. Use the payment options page, MyHousing or the MyHousing app, and select 'Make a payment'.
If you set up a payment plan with us, you can catch up on missed payments by paying an extra amount each week. We will work with you to make sure the amount is affordable and helps you repay your overdue balance within a reasonable time.
If you are unable to afford the proposed repayment amount, we may consider a smaller amount. You will need to show that the proposed amount is too high for you. You will also need to get financial counselling through:
- a financial counselling service
You can make overdue payments by:
- Automatic deductions from Centrelink
- Online through the DCJ website
- MyHousing app
- BPAY
For more details about these payment methods, please contact your Client Service Officer.
If you don’t catch up on your repayments or contact us to set up a payment plan,v, we will issue a Notice of Termination or apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for:
- a Specific Performance Order
- an order of Termination and Possession.
The type of orders we request from NCAT depends on how much you owe and if you have been behind on payments before. You might be ordered to pay back the money you owe, or in serious cases, your tenancy could end.
If you get a notice from NCAT to attend a hearing, contact your Client Service Officer as soon as possible to discuss your situation. It’s important to attend the hearing in person.
A Specific Performance Order gives you a chance to fix a breach of your tenancy agreement, such as unpaid rent or water charges.
We must issue you with a Notice of Termination if we are going to ask the NCAT to end your tenancy. If you receive a Notice of Termination, it means that we have not been able to resolve your arrears or that you have broken a Specific Performance Order.
Issuing a Notice of Termination is a very serious step and if you receive one you should contact your Client Service Officer as soon as possible. If we do not hear from you, we may have no choice but to proceed with action to end your tenancy.
If the NCAT issues orders of Termination and Possession, it means your tenancy will officially end on a certain date. The NCAT will set a date for you to move out of your home.
If you do not move out of the property by the date in the possession order, we will request a Warrant of Possession from the NSW Sheriff’s Office for eviction.
If you receive a notice from the NCAT about these orders, it is important to contact your Client Service Officer as soon as possible. This could be your last chance to save your tenancy.
NSW Fair Trading can give you advice about your tenancy rights and responsibilities, explain how NCAT works, and help you find an advocate.
It is important to talk to Homes NSW about any problems you have with your tenancy or paying your rent. Even if we is taking action with NCAT, it is still important to stay in touch.
We’re here to help
For information about your rights as an Aboriginal tenant, see the NSW Aboriginal Tenants Advice Service, or contact your local Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service.
You can also contact your local Homes NSW office about services available to you.