Looking after your home

• Maintenance

  With your assistance, the Department of Communities (Housing and Homelessness Services) wants to keep your home in good condition. As your lessor, the department provides a maintenance service during office hours; and an emergency after hours service.

• Damage to your property

  Who pays for damage to my home?

• Maintenance debts - during your tenancy

  What is a maintenance debt?

• Maintenance hints

  The following hints may help you to solve some maintenance problems before reporting them to the Department of Communities (Housing and Homelessness Services).

• Smoke alarms

  The department has placed a smoke alarm advice sticker on the inside of a cupboard door (usually the linen cupboard) in your home.

• Fire and emergency evacuation

  Fire can be a threat to all of us, but taking simple precautions and being prepared can help keep you safe from fire at home.

• Pest control

  Does the Department of Communities (Housing and Homelessness Services) do pest control for my home?

• Termites

  Termites (white ants) cause more damage to homes in Australia than storms and fire combined. They can affect up to one in three houses in some parts of Australia. The department should be notified immediately if you think your property has been affected by termites or have noticed termite activity.

• Fire ants

  Fire ants

• Mould

  Mould grows in damp, dull and poorly ventilated spaces such as some kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. Dust and dirt in these areas also helps mould breed. Mould spores can be damaging to your health.

• Modifications to your home

  A home modification assists a person to live safely and independently within their home. If you have a specific need due to a serious medical condition, disability, or because of age, the Department of Communities (Housing and Homelessness Services) can help you.

• Home improvements

  Am I allowed to make any improvements to my home?

• Hints on garden care

  What should I consider when planting trees and shrubs?

• Hints on preventing burglary

  What should I do to help prevent my home being burgled?

• Water in your home

  Care should be taken when using water around the home. People are generally aware of the hazards associated with boiling water and slipping on wet floors, but in rare cases, water also has the potential to cause illness.

• Water saving hints

  Australia is the world’s driest inhabited country. As such, water is a precious resource that must be conserved. As well as reducing the amount of water used, it is also important to improve the quality of the water supply.

• Property inspections

  Property inspections.