There are some things you must do prior to leaving social housing. Your rights and responsibilities when you finish renting a home are described in the Information Statement (RTA Form 17a) which you received when you signed your tenancy agreement.
What should I do?
- Notify your nearest Housing Service Centre at least 14 days before you want to leave your home. If you don't do this, rent may be charged to your rental account after you leave.
- Complete a Notice of Intention to Leave (RTA Form 13) available from the Residential Tenancies Authority or any Australia Post Office and return it to the department.
- Pay any rent owing up to the handover day (which is the agreed date on which you will be leaving). Rent is charged up to and including the handover day, provided you have given the right notice to the department and returned the keys to the home. If you leave but do not return the keys, the department will still take possession of the home and will charge you to replace the lock. Rent will also be charged until the department takes back the home.
- Give the department your forwarding address.
- Ensure the house is clean and tidy. An inspection will be done either before you leave the property or shortly afterwards. You may be charged for any cleaning, repairs or maintenance required (see Maintenance debts).
- Hand the keys to the nearest Housing Service Centre before or on the handover day.
What does the department do?
Once you have moved out of the property, the department will:
- inspect your home on the handover day to see if there is any damage or if any repairs, rubbish removal or cleaning are required that did not result from fair wear and tear.
- finalise your rental account up to the handover day or the day the department takes possession if you do not hand back the keys on the handover day.
- send any credit in your rental account of more than $5.00, provided it has your forwarding address. This will be done approximately six weeks after you leave your home.
- send you a letter advising if you have a maintenance debt arising from the inspection of your home (see Maintenance debts).
Can I attend the final inspection of the premises?
Yes - in fact, the department would like you to be present during the inspection. This allows you to discuss the condition of the property and any issues that may arise from the inspection with the person inspecting it.
If you wish to attend the final inspection, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre at least two working days before the inspection. If you live in a country or remote area, please give your nearest Housing Service Centre more notice.
What happens at this inspection?
During the inspection, the department compares the condition of the property with the Entry Condition Report that was completed when you moved in. This allows officers to see what repairs are needed resulting from fair wear and tear, and what repairs are resulting from damage caused to the home. You will be charged for repairs that did not occur as a result of fair wear and tear as well as cleaning or rubbish removal required if the home was not left in a clean and tidy manner.
What happens if I owe money for maintenance/cleaning costs?
See Maintenance debts.
Can I get a reference regarding my tenancy?
Yes. Just ask your nearest Housing Service Centre.