Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service

Description

The Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service (Queensland) is a Queensland Government program administered by the Department of Communities.

It provides tenants and residents, particularly those experiencing difficulties with their tenancies or residential services, access to information, advocacy and advice regarding their rights and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008. The program also aims to provide information and referral to help people in housing need access safe, secure and affordable housing.

The program is funded from the interest on tenants' and residents' bonds lodged with the Residential Tenancies Authority and by a contribution from the Department of Communities.

Funding is also provided to two specialist organisations: the Tenants' Union of Queensland, which provides a statewide service including resourcing and training; and the Caravan and Manufactured Home Residents' Association, which provides advice on matters specific to tenants in mobile dwellings

Objectives

Through the provision of the above services, tenants and residents are able to establish and maintain their tenancies or residencies by:

• understanding their rights and responsibilities regarding tenancy and residential law and related legislation
• exercising their rights under tenancy and residential law and related legislation
• accessing trained advocates to assist with exercising their rights under tenancy and residential law and related legislation
• accessing assistance to appropriate referral to safe, secure and affordable accommodation.

Target groups

The service targets people who are tenants under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accomodation Act 2008.

Eligibility

The following types of organisations are eligible to be considered for funding to provide services under the program:

• not-for-profit incorporated organisations
• local governments
• Aboriginal or Island Councils.

The Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service (Queensland) has, however, reached its capacity and opportunities for new funding are limited.

Funding conditions

To receive funding or other assistance from the Department of Communities to provide a housing service, organisations must be:

• registered under the Housing Act 2003
• bound by the terms and conditions of the program specifications and the assistance agreement entered into with the Department of Communities.

A snapshot of the Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service

Commenced: 1991
Number of Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service services: 29
Households assisted in 2010-2011: 84,830
Locations: Throughout the State

Further information