This policy sets out:

  • what a tenant is responsible for while they’re absent from their property
  • how the SA Housing Trust approves tenants being absent from their properties
  • how the SA Housing Trust approves applications for a caretaker to live at the property during the tenant’s absence.

This policy doesn’t apply to short term and specific purpose housing programs such as the Integrated Housing Exits Program, except in line with the relevant policies.

Telling the SA Housing Trust about a temporary absence

Tenants must live in their property as a condition of their lease agreement, also known as the Conditions of Tenancy.

Tenants must notify the SA Housing Trust if they will be away from their property for more than a fortnight.

If the SA Housing Trust suspects a property has been abandoned, it’s managed in line with the Abandoned property and goods policy.

How long a tenant can be absent

Tenants may be absent from their property with the SA Housing Trust’s approval for up to 3 months.

If the tenant has a genuine need to be absent longer, the SA Housing Trust may approve extending it for up to another 3 months.

Temporary absences and extensions won’t be approved if it goes past the end date on the tenant’s lease agreement.

Tenants can be absent for a maximum of 6 months in any 3-year period, starting with the first absence.

If a tenant is away longer than this, the SA Housing Trust may determine the tenant isn’t living in the property. The circumstances behind each absence is considered to determine what action, if any, should be taken.

These timeframes also apply if a caretaker’s living in the property.

Tenant’s responsibilities while absent

Tenants are still responsible for meeting all the conditions of their lease agreement while they’re away, including:

  • paying rent in full and on time
  • taking care and maintaining the property
  • telling the SA Housing Trust about any changes in their circumstances, for example changes to their household income.

Applying for a caretaker

A caretaker is someone nominated by the tenant, for example a family member or friend, to live in the property while they’re absent.

If the tenant’s living in Aboriginal housing, the caretaker should preferably be of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.

A caretaker has no right to take over the tenancy.

A tenant can apply for a caretaker to live at the property for up to 3 months. They must get the SA Housing Trust’s approval before the caretaker moves in.

The SA Housing Trust may approve the caretaker for up to another 3 months if the tenant has a genuine need to be absent longer, and the extended absence has been approved.

Eligibility

Tenants are eligible to apply for a caretaker if they meet all the below conditions:

  • action isn’t being taken to end their tenancy
  • they have an arrangement to repay any debt they owe the SA Housing Trust in line with the Account management policy
  • the length of their absence won’t go past the end date on their lease agreement.

A person’s eligible to be a caretaker if they meet all the below conditions:

  • they have an arrangement to repay any debt they owe to the SA Housing Trust in line with the Account management policy
  • they aren’t excluded from SA Housing Trust’s services because of antisocial behaviour in line with the Antisocial behaviour policy
  • moving into the property won’t contravene the conditions of an intervention order
  • they provide proof of their identity to the SA Housing Trust.

Rent

Rent is calculated based on the tenant’s household income in line with the Rent policy. It’s reviewed when a caretaker is approved.

The SA Housing Trust may calculate the rent based on caretaker’s income if the tenant has no or limited income, for example because the tenant is in prison.

Related information

Controlling documents

This policy is based on and complies with:

Supporting guideline

  • Temporary absences guideline v5

Related policies and other documents

Date this policy applies from

7 March 2023

Version number

5

The online version of the policy is the approved and current version. There’s no guarantee any printed copies are current.