❓ A parliamentary question regarding the rules and regulations surrounding Department of Housing tenants temporarily vacating their properties and the implications for house-sitters. The response clarifies the department's policies on absence duration, notification, subletting, and tenant responsibilities.
AnsweredQoN 281Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How long can a tenant not reside in a Department of Housing dwelling before the tenancy has to be forfeited? (2) If a Department of Housing tenant is not going to be residing at their dwelling for an extended period of time does the tenant have to inform the Department, if so, what is considered by the Department to be an extended period? (3) If a tenant vacates their dwelling for an extended period of time and allows a house-sitter or sitters to reside in that home for that period do they have to seek approval from the Department for those sitters to reside in the home? (4) If yes to (3) who pays the rent for the dwelling, the house sitter or the tenant? (5) If yes to (3) what steps does the Department take to ensure that the tenant is not using the situation to profit ie: charging the house-sitter rent above that of what is owed to the Department? (6) If no to (3) why not? (7) If a tenant allows a house sitter to reside in their home for an extended period of time are those house-sitters vetted by the Department before being given permission to house sit? (8) If yes to (7) how long can they reside in the home and what checks are made to ensure the house-sitters are only there for the period of time intended? (9) If no to (7) why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
25 June 2013
Responded by
Minister for Housing
Response time
33 days
The Department of Housing advises:
(1) Up to six months with previous approval from the Department. Rental payments and property standards must be maintained during this time.
(2) Yes. Tenants must advise the Department if they will be absent from the property for more than four weeks.
(3) Yes
(4) The tenant remains legally responsible for the period they are absent from the property and is responsible for paying the rent.
(5) The legal tenant must have a formal agreement if they are subletting the property and lodge a copy of this agreement with the Department of Housing. The sublessee is required to pay full market rent to the tenant. The Department also charges the tenant full market rent for the duration of the sublease.
(6) Not applicable
(7) No
(8) Not applicable
(9) House-sitters occupy tenants' properties for short periods and as such are not subject to the Department's eligibility criteria.
(1) Up to six months with previous approval from the Department. Rental payments and property standards must be maintained during this time.
(2) Yes. Tenants must advise the Department if they will be absent from the property for more than four weeks.
(3) Yes
(4) The tenant remains legally responsible for the period they are absent from the property and is responsible for paying the rent.
(5) The legal tenant must have a formal agreement if they are subletting the property and lodge a copy of this agreement with the Department of Housing. The sublessee is required to pay full market rent to the tenant. The Department also charges the tenant full market rent for the duration of the sublease.
(6) Not applicable
(7) No
(8) Not applicable
(9) House-sitters occupy tenants' properties for short periods and as such are not subject to the Department's eligibility criteria.
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