Rentstart provides financial assistance to eligible clients to help them set up or maintain a tenancy in the private rental market. There are 5 types of Rentstart assistance.
Rentstart Bond Loan
A Rentstart Bond Loan is interest-free loan where you can apply for help to pay 25% or more of a rental bond. In exceptional circumstances, Homes NSW may provide a loan of up to 100% of the bond.
The amount of your income you spend on rent will help determine:
- your repayment plan period and
- fortnightly repayment amount is based.
Find out how to apply for a Rentstart Bond Loan.
Advance Rent
Advance Rent is a grant that's provided if you already have a Rentstart Bond Loan but are having trouble with meeting your tenancy set-up costs.
Advance Rent is also available to help people moving into a caravan park, registered boarding house or hostel. In these places a deposit is paid rather than lodging a bond with the Rental Bond Board. Homes NSW provides up to 100% of the key money, security bond or other deposit. The money is given as a grant and is not repaid to Homes NSW.
Homes NSW usually provides Advance Rent only once in a 12-month period.
Rentstart Move
Rentstart Move assistance is for people who are leaving public housing because they:
- want to leave public housing or
- are no longer eligible for public housing or other Rentstart assistance.
If you are eligible for Rentstart Move, Homes NSW will provide a bond loan for up to 100% of a rental bond.
Find out about Rentstart Move.
Tenancy Assistance
Tenancy Assistance helps people living in a private rental property who have fallen behind with their rent or water bill.
If you are eligible for Tenancy Assistance you will only receive it:
- once in a 12 month period
- only if you have a rental agreement with the agent or landlord to continue the tenancy for up to 12 months.
You can receive up to the equivalent of 4 weeks' rent. It's not a loan and does not have to be repaid to Homes NSW.
Temporary Accommodation
This is a short-term temporary measure by Homes NSW to provide a client who is homeless with accommodation in a low-cost motel or caravan park.
The assistance is usually for several days until the client can make their own arrangements for their immediate and longer-term accommodation. Homes NSW works with clients to calculate their contribution to the cost of this accommodation based on their assessable income.
People who are escaping domestic and family violence do not have to contribute to the cost of their Temporary Accommodation.
Related information
Go to the Homes NSW website for more information including: