Rent Choice: information for real estate agents and landlords
Last published 01 Jul 2019
What is Rent Choice?
Rent Choice is a private rental subsidy that helps pay part of a tenant’s rent for up to three years. It also helps the tenant set up and maintain a tenancy and connects them with training and employment opportunities.
Your tenant may be receiving Rent Choice because they:
- have experienced a major financial setback such as illness or job loss; or
- don’t have a stable and secure place to live because of domestic or family violence; or
- are a young person up to the age of 24; or
- are a veteran who has served in the Australian Defence Force; or
- are a current NSW social housing tenant transitioning into the private rental market.
How does it work?
For the first 12 months, the tenant will pay 25% of their weekly income plus 100% of any Commonwealth Rent Assistance they may be entitled to get. We pay the rest directly to you. The amount the tenant pays will go up gradually after 12 months, but we will let you know when this happens closer to the time.
What’s my role in this as the real estate agent or landlord?
You’ll manage this tenancy like any other. The Residential Tenancy Agreement is between the landlord and the tenant. DCJ Housing is not a party in the Residential Tenancy Agreement.
A staff member from DCJ Housing or community housing provider may contact you to discuss the tenancy.
How will I receive rent?
You will receive rental payments from two sources. These payments will be made in different cycles.
Tenant contribution
The tenant will pay their part of the rent weekly. The tenant is responsible for paying 25% of their weekly income, plus all of their Commonwealth Rent Assistance as their contribution to the rent.
NSW Government contribution
We will pay our contribution to the rent monthly. This payment will cover our contribution to rent for the upcoming month.