Smoke free areas

Homes NSW does not allow smoking in enclosed common areas within Homes NSW owned properties. Smoking is allowed inside the private areas of residential units, townhouses, villas or houses.

By banning smoking in internal common areas in our properties, Homes NSW is voluntarily complying with the standards set by the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000.

The intention of this policy is to reduce the harmful effects of passive smoking on residents, visitors, staff and tradespeople using enclosed areas within Homes NSW properties.

From 1 July 2005 smoking was banned in the internal common areas of Homes NSW properties. Internal common areas include: common and community rooms, shared laundries, stairwells, hallways, entranceways and lift areas.

Why did these changes occur?

Homes NSW wants everyone to enjoy the environment they live in, and be able to use common or community rooms, shared laundries and other enclosed common areas safely.

Exposure to cigarette smoke can dramatically affect the health of some people, particularly those suffering from emphysema and other respiratory diseases. These people may not be able to safely use common areas if other people are smoking.

Everyone will benefit from the ban on smoking in internal common areas. Exposure to passive smoking can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. It can also increase the risk of lung cancer and other lung diseases.

The ban is also in line with government policy. In NSW, the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 was introduced to prevent the harmful effects of passive smoking by requiring most enclosed public places in NSW to be smoke free.

By prohibiting smoking in internal common areas in our properties, we are voluntarily complying with the standards set by the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000.

What has Homes NSW done to notify people?

Homes NSW has put up signs to identify the smoke-free areas that apply to everyone including residents, visitors, Homes NSW staff and contractors.

What are my responsibilities?

Tenants who choose to smoke are still able to do so, once inside their own dwelling, on their balcony or in open spaces on Homes NSW property.

Tenants are responsible for their own conduct, and for the behaviour of other household members or people who visit their home.

If you have someone visit you, we request you inform them of the no-smoking areas.

Where can I smoke?

When in common areas, smoking is permitted in spaces that do not have a roof, or walls to enclose it as a room.

Residents who choose to smoke are able to do so in their own apartments, townhouses, bedsitters, villas or houses. Tenants who choose to smoke are also able to do so in any private courtyard or on their balcony.

What about staff and contractors?

Homes NSW staff and contractors employed by DCJ Housing are not able to smoke in the enclosed common areas.

Will there be any penalties for smoking in a smoke free zone?

Any ongoing breaches of the smoke free zone policy will be addressed in line with Homes NSW’s During a Tenancy policy

I have smoked here for 20 years. Why do I have to stop now?

As a responsible landlord, we are identifying the internal common areas as smoke-free zones to take into consideration the rights of all residents, visitors, staff and contractors, who enter enclosed common areas.

You can still smoke inside private areas of residential premises or in open common areas. Homes NSW is looking after the safety and well being of everyone in line with government policy.

My neighbour is still smoking in a common area. What do I do?

Everyone has a responsibility to look after the environment they live in. If you see someone smoking in an internal common area, you should remind them about the ban and suggest they smoke somewhere that is not covered by the ban.

Remember, at first, your neighbours may not even be aware of the ban. You can also consider whether you and your neighbours need to set up a designated smoking area outside.

Please discuss any situation where a neighbour is breaching the During a Tenancy policy, with your client service officer.

Where can I get information about quitting smoking?

The Quitnow website has information about how to quit smoking, dealing with setbacks and strategies to help you. The Quitline service lets you speak to someone confidentially for advice and information.

Quitline
131 848

Resources are available in a number of community languages. Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people .

Where can I get further information about the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000?

NSW Health has more information about tobacco and smoking control in NSW.

NSW Health
1800 357 412 (toll free call)