Q & A – New Rent Setting Framework
1.
How is the rent calculated?
Public Housing-like model:
l
l
l
l
l
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25% of head tenants’ (max. 2 people) main income,
10% of Family Tax Benefit A
5% of Family Tax Benefit B
10% of dependents’ income (16 – 21 yrs, or up to 25 yrs if a student)
25% of dependents’ income (21+ yrs)
TOTAL minus a discount equivalent to Local Government rates
For a list of income sources exempt from rent calculation, see Department
of Housing Rental Policy.
Ask your Housing Officer to calculate what your rent will be, using the “Rent Calculator”.
2.
Is there a maximum rent payable?
Yes. If you are working, you might be earning a lot, but the Department of Housing has decided to ‘cap’ the rent at a maximum
amount. Your rent will be either the income-based calculation (see number 1) or the maximum rent, whichever is the lesser. The
maximum rent will be based on the estimated recovery cost to replace the house within 25 years (standard life cycle of a dwelling),
being an amount of $400 per week, discounted by the amount equivalent to Local Government rates where these rates are not paid.
This amount will be annually indexed to reflect escalating costs.
3.
What if we have visitors staying – do they pay rent?
Any non-dependents that stay in the house for longer than 2 months will have their income assessed for rent.
4.
What does the rent pay for?
The rent you pay goes towards repairs & maintenance on houses in your community.
5.
Does our rent pay for power and gas as well, or is that separate?
No. Your rent money just pays for rent and does not include things like power cards or other
utilities. Any community “chuck-in” or levy is charged by the Community Council and is
not considered by the Department of Housing as rent. Ask your Community Council what the
situation is for your community.
6.
Is the rent the same as ‘Homeswest’ rent?
No. There is a discount for tenants in remote communities where the Local Government does not provide full services or the
Department of Housing does not pay rates.
7.
Do I have to tell anyone if I have to go away for Sorry or Lore Business?
You need to tell your Housing Officer. If your Housing Officer is not available you must inform someone on the Community Council.
8.
Do we pay rent during Sorry Business?
Your community’s HMA will tell you how long you are eligible to be away for Sorry Business, and if you have to keep paying rent
while you are away. You can ask your Housing Officer for more information.
9.
Do we pay rent during Lore Business?
Your community’s HMA will tell you how long you are eligible to be away for Lore Business, and if you have to keep paying rent while
you are away. You can ask your Housing Officer for more information.
10.
If I need to leave my house for reasons other than Sorry or Lore Business, do I still have to pay rent?
If you need to enter supported accommodation (where you pay rent or lodgings to another organisation), for medical or other
reasons, you can apply to have your rent reduced to $10 per week for a period of up to 3 months. If you leave the house for these
reasons, you will need to show proof to your Housing Officer.
This is only the case if the house is left empty and the tenants would like to keep their tenancy. For example, if one adult leaves for
supported accommodation, but at least one other adult and some children stay in the house, the adult that leaves will no longer
have their income assessed for rent, but the tenancy will remain current.
If you leave your house for any reason other than Sorry Business, Lore Business or to enter supported accommodation you are
required to pay rent. If you do not tell your Housing Officer and Community Council that you are leaving your house, this can be
considered abandonment, and your house could be allocated to someone else. Check your community’s HMA for the length of time
your community allows for a house to be abandoned before it is re-tenanted.
11.
When do we start paying the new rent?
The transition to the new rent setting framework will start when you sign the new tenancy agreement for your new or refurbished
house. The transition period has been agreed and documented in your community’s HMA. You can ask your Housing Officer for the
specific information for your community. Existing houses of an acceptable standard will be included in the transition to the new
rent setting framework.
12.
If no repairs or maintenance are being done on my house, what do I do? Should I stop paying rent?
If repairs and maintenance are not being done to your house, you should contact your Housing Officer to find out what is happening.
If you are not happy with that or their progress, you can call a Tenant Advocate at the Tenants’ Advice Service or a local support
service. You should not stop paying rent, as that makes you in breach of your tenancy agreement.
13.
Why is my neighbour paying a different amount for rent?
Rent is charged based on the income of the household, so everyone’s rent will be different.
14.
What happens if I get behind on my rent?
Don’t ignore it! If you get behind on your rent, you should call your Housing Officer to let them know immediately. Your Housing Officer
will help you sort it out to catch up on your arrears. Otherwise you will receive a Breach Notice and that could lead to legal action.
15.
Why do you need to know who is living in my house?
You need to tell your housing officer who is living in your house so they can assess the level of housing need in the community and
if required, build more houses appropriate to that need.
16.
Do I need to tell anyone if my income changes?
Yes. If your income changes in any way, you need to tell your Housing Officer so they can adjust the amount of rent you pay. The
Department of Housing reviews your income annually and will adjust your rent accordingly.
Check the back page of the yellow booklet “Tenants and the Law in WA” for who to call for advice about your tenancy. Also ask
your Housing Officer for the local support services that may be able to assist you.