Your rights as a tenant of Homes NSW

As a tenant of Homes NSW, you have specific rights.

How we communicate with you

You can expect us to:

• let you know about any decisions we make about your tenancy, including about things like:
  • rent
  • reviews
  • applications for additional occupants, or
  • relocations and transfers.
• explain your tenancy to you, including how much rent and water you will pay and whether you are eligible for a subsidy
• give you copies of any documents you need for your tenancy
• clearly explain our policies and procedures to you
• provide you with an interpreter if you need one to talk to us
• allow you to have someone act on your behalf (an advocate) if you prefer
• treat you fairly and respectfully every time we communicate with you
• give you any official notices in a way that follows the law, including:
  • letting you know you’ve breached your tenancy agreement (lease) with us
  • letting you know your tenancy is ending and giving you a ‘notice to vacate’.

Clean, safe and habitable home

You can expect us to:

• make sure your home is clean, safe and ready for someone to live in when you first move into it
• arrange for appropriate repairs and maintenance during your tenancy
• make sure your home has adequate security and a working smoke alarm (Repairs to a smoke alarm can only be carried out by Homes NSW.)
• allow you to keep pets as long as they are suitable for your home, not a restricted breed, and not a nuisance to neighbours nor a health hazard.

How and when we visit your property

You can expect us to:

• visit your home with your permission and within the terms of your tenancy agreement
• seek your consent first if possible before we enter your property in emergencies to do urgent repairs, check smoke alarms and address health and safety issues.

For more information, please go to Visiting your home.

Safety and welfare

You can expect us to:

• meet our obligations to refer child protection issues to the appropriate authorities
• allow you to end your tenancy immediately if you are in circumstances of domestic and family violence and are not the perpetrator
• make sure you can enjoy your home peacefully.

Reviewing decisions and appealing outcomes

You have the right to raise any issues you have through your local Homes NSW office and through our client feedback service. You also have the right to ask for a decision we made to be reviewed, and to apply to the Tribunal if you believe Homes NSW has violated the terms of your tenancy agreement (lease).

For more information, visit Your rights if there is a problem.