RentConnect officer Anita Wissemann (left) confers with colleague Sue Viko at the Buranda Housing Centre on Brisbane's southside.
Queenslanders battling to find a home in the private rental market place can turn to people like RentConnect officer Anita Wissemann for assistance.
The Department of Communities RentConnect scheme provides information and tips on how to apply for a rental property and, where people need it, one-on-one help to find a property.
Anita, who is based at the department’s Buranda Housing Service Centre on Brisbane’s southside, says helping people to find a secure home in the private rental market is extremely rewarding.
Among the locals she’s helped is a family of nine from a non-English speaking background who were not being approved for properties they sought.
“We helped the family to fill out further applications, made appointment times and drove them to inspections. This task was shared with St Vincent de Paul’s Continuing Settlement Service,” Anita says.
“The family was then accepted for a property and received a bond loan issued from the department.”
Bond loans are interest-free loans the department provides to eligible people who cannot afford to pay a full rental bond when they want to move into private rental accommodation.
An elderly man forced from his rental property after a seven-year stay is another satisfied client.
Anita says RentConnect collaborated with the 87-year-old’s family to help arrange for a real estate agent to set up viewings of suitable properties.
“He has now moved into a granny flat with three steps that has a garage of the right size to accommodate his car and motorised scooter,” she says.
For more information contact your nearest Department of Communities housing service centre, phone 1300 880 882 or visit RentConnect.
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