When people rent a house, they generally have a tenancy agreement with their landlord (the owner of the house). This includes when you rent social housing.
The property can be managed by the landlord directly, or managed on behalf of the landlord by a property manager (e.g. real estate agent).
On this page, we have provided information for when your housing issues relates directly to residential tenancy law.
To the 'Resources/ links' we have included links to the residential tenancy legislation to each state and territory.
There can also be an overlap with advocacy and discrimination law for people renting homes.
For general advocacy and discrimination assistance refer to our Advocacy/ Legal Resources page. This includes further details on National Shelter, the national peak NGO.
Tenants' Unions/ Tenant Advice Services
National Association of Renters' Organisations (NARO)
The National Association of Renters' Organisations (NARO) is a federation of State and Territory-based Tenants’ Unions and Tenant Advice Services across Australia. Click on the links for your state or territory:
Some of these the NARO organisations have staff employed to work specifically with people with disability; if not, they will be able to direct you to other services that can help.
Other states and territories
In the ACT, check the Tenancy Advice Service ACT (division of Legal Aid ACT).
In South Australia, check RentRight SA (service of SYC).
Also in NSW, check the Disability Housing Advocacy Service (service of People with Disability Australia).
Building Tenancy Skills (WA)
(Project managers: Shelter WA & People With disability WA)
The Building Tenancy Skills project has a valuable range of resources that can assist you to maintain your tenancy, whether you live in WA or elsewhere.
The project's Renting with Confidence resources include video and factsheets covering:
- Communication
- Getting behind in your rent
- Preparing for a rent inspection
- NDIS and renting
Different rental arrangements (e.g. boarding, homeshare, congregate dwellings)
Residential tenancy laws differ in each state and territory. This includes for people who are boarding, sharing homes, living in caravans, and for people living in group settings - along with other living arrangements.
To find out more about how your rights are protected, check with the government rental guides and tenancy advisory services to your state or territory.
If you have need further assistance, contact us by email at projectofficer@riaustralia.org
What we have heard
Through the Opening the Door project we have heard of a number of key housing issues.
In relation to tenancy rights:
- Over-reliance on private rental market: Most renters with disability are in the private rental market, with insecurity of tenure, subject to cost pressures, and anecdotal evidence of discrimination.
- The need for a national tenancy framework, to better protect rights of people with disability - including those in congregate settings where residents may have little or no rights of tenure.
- State/territory rental reform, particularly with regard to minor modifications and making good provisions, as well as pets.
- Engagement with the real estate industry to better inform property managers of working with people with disability in the private rental market.
Other Information
Also, check the Let's talk Opening Doors home page and other pages for resources and discussion forums on other housing areas.
Please let us know of other resources that should be included on this page - contact us by email at projectofficer@riaustralia.org
Accessibility
If you have any issues with accessibility for any items, please contact Rights & Inclusion Australia - email: projectofficer@riaustralia.org
When people rent a house, they generally have a tenancy agreement with their landlord (the owner of the house). This includes when you rent social housing.
The property can be managed by the landlord directly, or managed on behalf of the landlord by a property manager (e.g. real estate agent).
On this page, we have provided information for when your housing issues relates directly to residential tenancy law.
To the 'Resources/ links' we have included links to the residential tenancy legislation to each state and territory.
There can also be an overlap with advocacy and discrimination law for people renting homes.
For general advocacy and discrimination assistance refer to our Advocacy/ Legal Resources page. This includes further details on National Shelter, the national peak NGO.
Tenants' Unions/ Tenant Advice Services
National Association of Renters' Organisations (NARO)
The National Association of Renters' Organisations (NARO) is a federation of State and Territory-based Tenants’ Unions and Tenant Advice Services across Australia. Click on the links for your state or territory:
Some of these the NARO organisations have staff employed to work specifically with people with disability; if not, they will be able to direct you to other services that can help.
Other states and territories
In the ACT, check the Tenancy Advice Service ACT (division of Legal Aid ACT).
In South Australia, check RentRight SA (service of SYC).
Also in NSW, check the Disability Housing Advocacy Service (service of People with Disability Australia).
Building Tenancy Skills (WA)
(Project managers: Shelter WA & People With disability WA)
The Building Tenancy Skills project has a valuable range of resources that can assist you to maintain your tenancy, whether you live in WA or elsewhere.
The project's Renting with Confidence resources include video and factsheets covering:
- Communication
- Getting behind in your rent
- Preparing for a rent inspection
- NDIS and renting
Different rental arrangements (e.g. boarding, homeshare, congregate dwellings)
Residential tenancy laws differ in each state and territory. This includes for people who are boarding, sharing homes, living in caravans, and for people living in group settings - along with other living arrangements.
To find out more about how your rights are protected, check with the government rental guides and tenancy advisory services to your state or territory.
If you have need further assistance, contact us by email at projectofficer@riaustralia.org
What we have heard
Through the Opening the Door project we have heard of a number of key housing issues.
In relation to tenancy rights:
- Over-reliance on private rental market: Most renters with disability are in the private rental market, with insecurity of tenure, subject to cost pressures, and anecdotal evidence of discrimination.
- The need for a national tenancy framework, to better protect rights of people with disability - including those in congregate settings where residents may have little or no rights of tenure.
- State/territory rental reform, particularly with regard to minor modifications and making good provisions, as well as pets.
- Engagement with the real estate industry to better inform property managers of working with people with disability in the private rental market.
Other Information
Also, check the Let's talk Opening Doors home page and other pages for resources and discussion forums on other housing areas.
Please let us know of other resources that should be included on this page - contact us by email at projectofficer@riaustralia.org
Accessibility
If you have any issues with accessibility for any items, please contact Rights & Inclusion Australia - email: projectofficer@riaustralia.org