Rent is due 14 days in advance, and must remain up-to-date to ensure you can stay in the property.
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Paying my rent
You can pay your rent by:
- bank deposit from your bank through EFT or via a bank teller
OR
- Centrepay is a voluntary bill-paying service which is free for Centrelink customers. Use Centrepay to arrange regular deductions from your Centrelink payment. You can start or change a deduction at any time. The easiest way to do it is through your Centrelink account online in myGov.
For more information or questions contact us on 1800 770 602 and request a copy of the Rent & Other Tenant Charges Fact Sheet.
Your rent is due every fortnight and must be paid 14 days (two weeks) in advance.
It’s important that you keep your rent payments up to date to ensure you can continue living in your property. If you fall behind in your rent payments (arrears), you’ll be in breach of your Residential Tenancy Agreement and may risk ending your tenancy and losing your place to live.
We calculate rent in line with the NSW Community Housing Rent policy. Rent is calculated as a percentage of your assessable household income plus any entitlement to Commonwealth Rent Assistance.
At the start of your tenancy, you’ll need to provide us with evidence of your recent income. This will include Centrelink income statements or pay slips and these must not be older than one month.
It’s important you provide us with all the income information for your household (tenant and any household members over the age of 18), as well as any deductible expenses (including child support payments), so that we can calculate your rent accurately.
If you have an irregular income, we’ll take an average of the last four weeks of income and determine your assessable income.
If there has been a change in your household income, you’ll need to let us know within 21 days so we can conduct a rent review. As part of the review process, you’ll need to provide current income statements or pay slips for all tenants and household members over the age of 18 years. If your rent has changed because of our rent review, you’ll be provided with a notification and Rent Calculation report.
To apply for a Centrelink payment, visit your local Centrelink office or call the below:
- Families 136 150
- Indigenous Australians 1800 136 380
- Job seekers 132 850
- Older Australians 132 300
- People with disability 132 717
- Students 132 490.
To find out more or to apply online, visit the Centrelink website.
Please get in touch before you fall behind in your rent payments (arrears).
If you’re having financial difficulties at any point during your tenancy, it’s important to speak to your Caseworker (if applicable) and Wesley Community Housing Tenancy Officer. Together we can help you work out your options, discuss a payment plan to get you back on track and put you in touch with extra support if you need it. You can also access support through Wesley Financial Counselling on 1300 827 638.
If you fall behind in rent, you may receive a reminder from us that your rent is overdue and needs to be paid immediately. If you don’t make arrangements to pay your overdue rent or discontinue your payment plan, you’ll be in breach of your Residential Tenancy Agreement and may risk losing your place to live.
To seek help, contact Wesley Community Housing on 1800 770 602 or communityhousing@wesleymission.org.au
Living in my home
If you would like someone to move into your property, please contact Wesley Community Housing.
You cannot have others move into your property without first gaining approval from Wesley Community Housing. We need to check that the property is suitable to house additional occupants, and you will be required to complete an application form for each additional occupant in the household. If the applicants are approved, a rent review will be required to include their income as part of your assessable household income.
If you do not inform Wesley Community Housing of any additional occupants, you risk breaching your Residential Tenancy Agreement and putting your tenancy at risk.
If you wish to have a pet living with you, you will need to seek permission before getting a pet by submitting a request in writing to Wesley Community Housing. Animals may have to leave your property if you have not been given permission to have them there.
It is a requirement that any pet will not interfere with the reasonable peace, comfort and/or privacy of neighbours, and any damage will be required to be repaired before vacating the property.
Service pets that comply with the Companion Animals Act 1998 are permitted.
Yes. For holidays of four weeks or less, please inform your Support Service Provider or your Tenancy Officer in advance. Please notify us 14 days before you leave and include the contact details of a friend or relative who can be called in an emergency.
You are required to continue to pay rent and will be responsible for any damage to the property.
If you intend being away from your property for longer, you will need to speak to your Tenancy Officer immediately as this will impact your housing with Wesley Community Housing.
Power bills can be very expensive and some companies charge a fee if you move or end your contract early, so choose carefully when setting up gas and electricity accounts for your property.
Three common providers are:
Origin Energy: 13 24 61 (For an interpreter, call 1300 137 427)
Energy Australia – 133 466 (For an interpreter, call 131 450)
If you do not understand something in your contract, ask your energy retailer or get independent advice on what it means. This important as contracts are legally enforceable.
For further help choosing a suitable provider, visit the NSW Department of Industry Resources and Energy website or search online for energy comparison websites.
Most companies offer discounts or payment plans to people experiencing financial hardship, and you may be eligible to apply for:
- Low Income Household Rebate
- Gas Rebate
- Life Support Rebate
- Medical Energy Rebate
- Family Energy Rebate.
This depends on the property that you are renting. When you view your property, and prior to signing a Residential Tenancy Agreement, your Tenancy Officer will advise you of all charges associated with the property. They will also explain the methods of payment for any charges.
Rubbish and recycling is your responsibility and should be separated and placed into different bins.
Rubbish bin
In the general rubbish bin you can put:
- food packaging
- food waste
- anything that is not recyclable
- plastic bags and garbage bags
- nappies
- broken household items
- grass clippings and small garden pruning
You should not put in:
- asbestos (including fibro)
- building waste
- car parts or car batteries
- car oil
- syringes and needles
- chemicals
- paint
- medicines or medical waste
- hot ashes
- gas bottles.
Recycling bin
In your yellow recycling bin you can put:
- plastic soft-drink and water bottles
- cans and tins
- glass bottles and jars
- plastic food containers
- juice and milk cartons and bottles
- newspapers and magazines
- phone books
- egg cartons
- envelops
- cardboard boxes.
You should not put in:
- plastic bags
- light globes and mirrors
- drinking glasses
- any of the rubbish listed to go in the green rubbish bin.
Cans and bottles can also be returned to a local ‘Return and earn’, where you will receive a small payment.
If you have a large item you do not need any more, don’t dump it or leave it outside your home as you can be fined.
Please contact your local council who should have a scheduled pick up service for items such as fridges, beds and furniture. They may even offer an on-demand pick up service. All rubbish must be collected before your final exit from the property otherwise you will be charged.
Ending my lease
To end a lease, you will need to advise Wesley Community by contacting us on 1800 770 602 or communityhousing@wesleymission.org.au You will need to provide adequate notice:
- 21 days (for tenants with ongoing leases)
- 14 days (for tenants with a fixed term lease e.g. 6 or 12 months)
At the end of your lease, please ensure you have:
- Paid all outstanding debts (e.g water, rent, utilities)
- Removed all your personal belongings and left the property vacant
- Removed, or arranged for the removal of all rubbish from the property (or on the grounds of the property)
- Left the property in a clean and tidy condition ready for the next person to move in
- Removed any locks you may have placed on your mail box
- Returned all keys (including to your doors, shared areas, windows, garages) during your final inspection. Please return all keys without delay, as you will be responsible for paying rent for every day beyond your final leaving date until they are returned.
Please thoroughly clean inside the property, including:
- Stove, oven and grill
- bathroom and toilet
- carpet, flooring and skirting boards
- kitchen and other cupboards and drawers
- clean marks off walls
- blinds
- for pet owners, ensure carpets are shampooed and the property fumigated.
Please also tidy outside the property, ensuring all rubbish is removed from the property and lawns.
For all other questions contact us on 1800 770 602, and request a copy of the Vacating Your Property Factsheet.
During your final inspection, we will check to see if there is any unreported damage to the property and any unpaid accounts for rent, water etc.
If everything is in good condition, the property is in a clean and tidy state, and your accounts have been paid, your bond will be returned.
If the property is not left in a clean and tidy state, the cost of cleaning or rubbish removal will be deducted from your bond.
You will be charged costs if we have to pay for:
- rubbish removal (you cannot leave rubbish behind for council to collect)
- the cost of cleaning the property if it is not left in the same condition as when you moved in (fair wear and tear excluded)
- removing a vehicle you may have abandoned on the property
- the repair of any damages you may have caused to the property.
Any unpaid accounts will also be deducted from your bond.
At your final inspection, we will need your bank details and a forwarding address for the Rental Bond Board at the Department of Fair Trading (who are holding your rental bond) to deposit any monies owing to you. They will let you know when your bond has been deposited.
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If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, contact the team here or by calling 1800 770 602.
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