2010 Tenant Survey

Let us know what you think. Click here to download a copy of our 2010 tenants survey.

Moving In

Once you've received notification of property allocation, we'll give you a move in date. You'll be asked to come in the office so we can prepare a lease.

What you'll need to bring with you:

  1. Current income statement (Centrelink), or 3 current wage slips if employed. (All income received by all persons who will be residing in the property)

  2. Details of all people you'll be living with.

  3. Bond money - 4 weeks subsidised rent or $600.

  4. Two(2)weeks rent at the rebated amount.

In most instances you'll be paying at least 25% of your gross income (before tax). Affordable Housing tenants will pay up to 30% of their income, depending on their circumstances.


Leases

We recommend you read your lease carefully before you sign. This is a legal document and you'll need to understand just what you are signing.

The lease contains rights and responsibilities that must be met by both PLCHA Ltd and yourself. New leases are usually for a period of 3 months. This can be extended provided that all responsibilities were met. You'll receive a copy of the lease for your records. A housing manager will assist you in understanding the lease before you sign.


Condition Report

You will receive a property condition report for your new premises. Look carefully at each item and write Y for yes you agree or N for no if you disagree and note the issues that you have found. This will be helpful to you if/when you vacate tenancy. If needed a housing manager can verbally guide you through the process.

The condition report signed at lease sign up. White sheets are kept at office, yellow and blue given to tenant and Yellow copy to be returned within 7 days

Next you will be asked to note any outstanding or unidentified repairs to the housing worker for remedial work to be done. At the end you will be asked to sign off at the bottom of each page. You will receive a copy for your records.


Bond

Bond will be assessed at the equivalent of four (4) weeks subsidised rent or $600.00, whichever is the greatest and will be lodged immediately with the Department of Fair Trading. The Bond is to be paid at the time the Residential Tenancy Agreement is signed.


Keys

You'll be given a set of keys when you sign your lease. We will also keep a set coded to your address.

It is important that you don't change the locks. Any broken locks should be reported to us and we will arrange a locksmith. If the locks were intentionally broken you will be charged for replacement.


Sign up Package

Your sign up package should contain all of the following:
- Residential Tenancy Agreement
- Property Condition Report (by Housing Officer who carried out condition report)
- Rent deposit book and personal ID Card
- Print out of rent rebate (income analysis)
- Bond information and lodgement form
- Rent rebate application form
- Change of address to Department of Housing form
- Centrelink client information form
- Confidentiality and Privacy Policy
- Copy of keys received
- Special condition sheet (payment of water etc.)
- Grievance and disputes policy
- Arrears policy
- How to appeal a decision form
- Pacific Link Community Housing Association Ltd Tenants Information Handbook
- Renting Guide (Office of Fair Trading)
- A Copy of the latest Pacific Link Community Housing Association Ltd Newsletter
- Housing Manager’s business card
- A Statement of tenants rights
- Good neighbour policy
- Welcome to your home
- Security of tenure information sheet
- Pest Policy


Rental Payments

There are four easy ways for you to pay rent:

  1. If you are on a Centrelink benefit, you can arrange your payments to come straight from your benefit. We can provide you with the relevant form to give to Centrelink. Some tenants find this method easier.

  2. We'll give you a deposit book and personal ID Card to deposit rent fortnightly at the Commonwealth Bank. You can arrange to do this in person or online by setting up a Third Party Transfer. Ask PLCHA Ltd if you are thinking of doing this. You'll need our BSB code and Account Number. Don't forget to use your ID number.

  3. Send a cheque or money order from the post office.

  4. Come in and pay at the office.


Rent Enquiries

Call the office on (02) 4324 7617 or Freecall: 1300 654 973 (tenants north of Wyong only), if you have rental problems or questions about your rent statements.


Other services to remember