For tenants in Affordable Housing, Argyle Housing sets rent so that it remains affordable while supporting the financial viability of the program.

Here are the key points to understand:

• Rent is generally set at 74.9% to 80% of the market rent for the property.
• Your rent will not exceed 30% of your total household income, if you are an eligible applicant.
• Rent is charged and reviewed in line with relevant agreements, policies and guidelines.
  A review of the market rent is conducted annually in accordance with individual program requirements.
• Eligibility for affordable housing is reviewed prior to the end of each 12-month Residential Tenancy Agreement.
• Tenants cannot transfer to other affordable housing properties.
• If you’re no longer eligible for Affordable Housing but may qualify for Social Housing, Argyle Housing can provide information on how to apply for the NSW Social Housing Register.
• Rent is calculated in line with the NSW or ACT Community Housing Rent Policy or the NRAS Affordable Housing Guidelines, depending on your property.

All affordable housing tenancies are offered as 12-month fixed-term agreements. An End of Fixed Term Notice will be issued at the beginning of the tenancy and in line with State or Territory legislation.

For more information, please email: rentreview@argylehousing.com.au

Argyle Housing aims to ensure your rent remains affordable while following government policies and guidelines. If you’re a Social Housing tenant, here are the key points to understand:

• The rent listed on your lease reflects the current market rent for your home. This is the maximum amount you can be charged.
• Most tenants are eligible for a rebated or reduced rent, based on total household income.
• Your gross household income includes wages, pensions, Centrelink benefits, rent assistance, interest, child support, and any other sources of income.
• If a household’s income exceeds or falls below the income limits by more than 25%, tenants may be given an adjustment period of up to 12 months.
• Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) may also be available. If you receive a Centrelink payment, contact Centrelink to check your eligibility for CRA

To ensure you are paying the correct amount:

• Social Housing income reviews occur every six months.
• Affordable Housing income reviews occur every 12 months.
• You’ll be notified in advance of any changes to your rent.

For more information, please email: rentreview@argylehousing.com.au

If you receive a Centrelink benefit, you may be eligible for Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) — a payment from Centrelink to help cover your housing costs.

• It is your responsibility to contact Centrelink to find out if you’re eligible to receive CRA.
• When you sign up as a Social Housing client, Argyle Housing will provide a Centrelink Rent Assistance letter showing your rebated rent.
• You must give this letter to Centrelink to verify the rent amount you pay.
• If you do not lodge this letter promptly, your rent may be temporarily calculated at a higher rate than you expect.

Argyle Housing assumes that all Centrelink recipients have applied for CRA when calculating your rent. To avoid unnecessary rent increases, ensure your CRA application is completed as soon as possible after receiving your letter.

Centrelink offers a secure online service that allows Argyle Housing to access your income details directly. This service helps make the income review process easier for both you and your household.

• We can only access your information with your written consent.
• If you give consent, you and your household members won’t need to visit Centrelink or provide income statements during rent reviews.
• This applies to all tenants receiving a Centrelink payment.

If you haven’t already provided consent and would like to do so, please contact your Client Support Specialist to request the authorisation form.

It’s important to keep Argyle Housing updated about any significant changes to your household income. If there is a change in income for any household member, you must notify Argyle Housing within and provide supporting documents from employers or Centrelink within 21 days of the change.

Examples of changes that must be reported include:

• You or someone in your household starts or stops working
• A change in the amount of wages received by any household member
• A change in the type of Centrelink benefit or pension you receive
• One of your children turns 18 or you have another child
• You start or stop receiving child support or maintenance payments

Reporting changes promptly ensures your rent remains fair and accurate. If you fail to advise Argyle Housing of an increase to your household income, you may be committing rental fraud. Argyle Housing may cancel your rent subsidy and backdate market rent charges. Immediately advise Argyle Housing of any change to household income to avoid this action.

If you’re unsure whether a change needs to be reported, contact your Client Support Specialist for guidance.

When you sign a Tenancy Agreement with Argyle Housing, you agree to pay your rent in advance and on time, along with any other applicable costs. These can include:

• Water usage (where applicable)
• Damage caused to the property
• Replacing locks or lost keys

We understand that sometimes life circumstances can make it difficult to stay up to date with your payments. Please contact your Client Support Specialist as soon as possible if you’re experiencing financial difficulties.

🏠 For Social Housing tenants
If you’re behind on rent, we can work with you to arrange a payment plan.

Falling behind may affect your eligibility for:

• Transfers to another property
• Being rehoused if your current property is leasehold and the lease ends

In serious cases, if arrears grow and no effort is made to repay them, we may need to take the matter to the Tenancy Tribunal. You are also responsible for non-rent debts, which can be paid in instalments after your rent is up to date.

🏠 For Affordable Housing tenants

• You are encouraged to bring a support person, friend, or advocate if you feel uncomfortable discussing your arrears alone (written consent is required if you’re not present).
• Interpreter services are available if English is not your first language.
• Formal action, including termination notices or Tribunal applications, will only be taken when necessary — for example, if arrears increase and no payment plan is followed.

There are number of helpful products and schemes that we offer you, if your rent is paid on time. For example,

Wendy Middleton Scholarship: Clients or household members who are completing tertiary studies can apply for one of our Wendy Middleton’s Scholarships.

Scholarships range from $750 to $1500 per year and can be used to purchase school supplies, computers, tuition, books, etc.

All Argyle Housing clients, whether in Social Housing or Affordable Housing, are required to pay a bond at the beginning of their tenancy.

The bond amount is four weeks’ rent, based on:

• Rebated rent for Social Housing clients
• Affordable rent for Affordable Housing clients
• The full bond is payable when signing your lease.

Your bond will be lodged with the relevant Rental Bond Board in your state or territory. It will be refunded — with any interest earned — when you move out, provided:

• There is no outstanding rent or non-rent debt
• The property is left in the same condition as when your tenancy began

You may also be offered the option to use Rental Bond Online, a secure way to lodge your bond electronically.

Bond Loans
If you’re moving into an affordable housing property in NSW or the ACT, you may be eligible for government support through a bond loan:

• NSW: Rentstart Bond Loan
• ACT: ACT Government Community Services

Please speak with your Client Support Specialist during the application process if you would like more information or help applying for a bond loan.