Visitors in your home

Can visitors stay at my home?

Yes. Visitors can stay but you need to tell the department:

• If your visitor/s are staying more than four weeks
• your visitors' name/s
• the date their visit started
• how long they intend to visit

The department needs this information in case of an emergency.

Can my visitors stay for more than four weeks?

Visitors staying longer than four weeks, are considered 'residents' in you household and as a result, their income is included in your rent assessment. If your visitior/s needs to stay for more than four weeks, talk to your nearest Housing Service Centre. IF the department accepts the reasons for the visitor/s needing to stay for more than four weeks, their income may not be included into your household's assessable income when calculating your rent.

Am I responsible for the behaviour of my visitors?

Yes. As the tenant you are responsible for the behaviour of your household members and your visitors. For example, the department may breach you as the tenant for the behaviour of your visitor for breaching any of the terms of the State Tenancy Agreement (such as causing a nuisance or interfering with the reasonable peace, comfort or privacy of a neighbour).

Will my rent change if I have visitors stay in my property?

• If your visitors stay less than four weeks - your rent will not change.
• If your visitors stay longer than four weeks and there are no special circumstances, you must provide evidence of the visitor/s income so your rent can be reassessed.

What if my visitor stays regularly?

If you have a household occupant who regularly enters the household and then leaves before the four week period to avoid paying rent, the department will add up all the time they have been in the household. If this time is over four weeks, the department will assess the visitor/s income to determine new rent for your household.

What if I don't tell the department about my visitors?

The Housing Act 2003 requires you to advise the department of changes to your household within 28 days of the change occurring. If you do not advise the department of visitors staying longer than four weeks, you may incur a penalty under the Housing Act 2003 and your rent may be backdated (see What do I need to tell the department?).