Opening doors to more rental options
The housing market is experiencing local and global pressures, with house prices and rents increasing and housing availability decreasing. Anyone trying to secure and maintain private rental accommodation understands these pressures, including the impacts of the rising cost of renting. The Private Rental Assistance program delivers financial support for eligible South Australians who need help to maintain their private rental accommodation.
What assistance is available?
The main types of support available for eligible customers who need help meeting the costs of privately renting include:
Bond guarantees
A bond guarantee is an undertaking to property owners or agent that the SA Housing Trust (the Trust) will pay for legitimate claims at the end of a tenancy (e.g., unpaid rent). More information
Rent in advance
Rent in advance is a grant based on the amount of rent payable at the time of the customer’s assessment for rent support and the type of accommodation the customer is moving into. More information
Rent in arrears
Rent in arrears is a grant for eligible customers who fall behind in their rent and are at risk of being evicted from the private rental tenancy (if they meet some conditions). More information
Am I eligible for support?
You are eligible for Private Rental Assistance if:
- you have independent income
- you meet the income and assets limits for this program
- you can provide proof of your income, identity, and rent
- the total property rent of your share of rent is no more than 50% of your total assessable income before tax
- the property is in South Australia
- you don’t have a debt to the Trust, or your debt is less than $1,000
- an arrangement to repay a debt owed to the Trust is in place
- you aren’t bankrupt with a debt to the Trust
- you don’t have a financial interest in a residential property
- you’re not an overseas student
- the rental assistance won’t contravene the conditions of an intervention order
Special circumstances
The Trust may help customers who might not be eligible for the Private Rental Assistance scheme but have special circumstances – if they meet conditions including the property is in South Australia, the customer is not an overseas student, and providing assistance won’t contravene the conditions of an intervention order. More information
Private rental services
SA Housing Trust provides digital private rental services for landlords and customers. Customers do not need to visit an office unless they choose to.
Information for landlords
SA Housing Trust pays rental assistance to landlords and agents through an electronic funds transfer. You will be asked to provide your banking details when you fill out the Property Owner's/Agent's Declaration. This will be required for every transaction.
SA Housing Trust bond guarantee details are provided by email directly to you and the tenant.
Why do I have to provide my banking details every time?
For safety reasons, SA Housing Trust will not store your banking details, therefore, you will need to provide them for each transaction.
How will I know a tenant has been approved?
You will receive a payment notification once the assistance has been approved and processed. The funds will be in your account within 2 – 5 days.
What if I provide the wrong details?
You will have an opportunity to review and approve the details before they are processed. If bank account and BSB details do not match, the payment will be rejected.
More information
Visit the Private Rental Assistance program policy webpage to find out more about eligibility for the program, the types and amounts of financial support available, and other important information. You can also make an application for support.
Contact SA Housing Trust on 131 299 ☏ (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm) or email housingcustomers@sa.gov.au ✉
Visit the Contact us webpage for more information about contacting SA Housing Trust.