Temporary absence from your home

Can I leave my home for a short period of time, for example to go away on holidays?

Yes. A temporary absence from your home is allowed.

• Absences up to three months. You must tell the department if you will be absent from the property for up to three months. You do not need to obtain the department's approval for this absence or supply any evidence of why you will be absent. You must contact the department and provide the following information for absences up to three months: the date your absence will start; the date you plan to return to the property; your contact details during your absence; the name and phone number of somone the department can contact in your absence if you cannot be contacted
•  Absences up to six months. You must ask for approval from the department for an absence between three and six months. You need to supply evidence supporting the reasons why you need to be absent. The department will approve absences between three and six months for the following reasons only: an overseas holiday; health reasons including rehabilitation, respite or hospitalisation of a tenant or immediate family member; improsonement.
• Absences from six to twelve months. You must ask for approval from teh department for an absence between six and twelve months. You need to supply evidence supporting your reasons why you need to be absent. The department will approve absences between six and twelve months due to exceptional circumstances for the following three reasons only: health reasons including rehabilitiation, respite or hospitalisation of a tenant or immediate family member; self improvement (such as studying or training at an educational institution); imprisonment.

• Absences of more than twelve months. The department will not approve requests for absences longer than twelve months. If you need to be absent from the property for mor than twelve months, talk to the department about your options which include: giving up your tenancy; applying for a transfer; succeeding the tenancy to another household member - eligibility conditions apply.

Why does the department needs to know I am going away?

Telling the department that you will be away from the property will help the department to:

• answer any questions about why the property is vacant
• be sure that you have not abandoned the property
• contact you if anything happens to the property during your absence

How do I apply to be absent from the property for three months or more?

You must complete the Request for Temporary Absence from Property from your property' form available from your nearest Housing Service Centre. Attach the necessary evidence to support your request:

• An overseas holiday - supply copies of airlines/sea travel tickets or a travel itinerary on travel agent letterhead
• Health reasons including rehabilitation, respite or hosipitalisation for a tenant or immediate framily member- supply a letter or certificate from a medical practitioner; specialist or other healthworker
• Self improvement - supply a letter from an eduational institution confirming details of a study or training program being undertaken by the tenant.
• Imprisonment - supply a letter from Queensland Corrective Services or the Queensland Police Service or a copy of the sentencing order confirming the period of imprisonment.

Will my absence from the premises affect my rent?

Your rent will stay the same during your absence. If you have additional costs resulting from hospitalisation or rehabilitation of a tenant or household member, or you are in prison and receiving no income, you mahy be eligible for a temporary rent reduction.

Remember: you must continue to pay your rent and complete your rent reviews during your absence.

Do I need to have a caretaker for they property?

We encourage you to have a caretaker while you are away to protect the property from possible vandalism. A caretaker's income is not included in your rent assessment if the caretaker lives in your home while you are away.

Caretakers have no legal right to the property, and the department cannot discuss your tenancy wit them without yur written consent. You are responsible to continue to meet all the conditions of your State Tenancy Agreement while you are away.

More information

Contact your nearest Housing Service Centre.