Rentstart Rent and Bond Assistance

Housing NSW can help people who have found a private rental property and who need financial assistance for the rental bond, and in some cases, advance rent.

There are four types of Rentstart assistance:

1. Rentstart Standard provides payment of up to 75% of a bond.
   
   
2. Rentstart Plus provides additional assistance for people facing severe financial barriers to private rental, severe housing stress, or homelessness.

Payment of:

• up to 100% of bond (paid directly to the Rental Bond Board)
• up to two weeks' advance rent (three weeks for furnished accommodation)
  or
• up to four weeks' rent in temporary accommodation.

Temporary Accommodation

Under Rentstart Plus, payment for temporary accommodation may be offered if you meet the criteria for Rentstart Plus but you are unable to be assisted with private rental.

3. Rentstart Tenancy Assistance helps clients in a private rental property who are facing eviction because of rental arrears. Clients can receive payment of up to four weeks' rent arrears.
   
   
4. Rentstart Move assists tenants who are leaving public housing at the end of their fixed-term lease and moving into private rental. Please refer to the Rentstart Move fact sheet for more information.

Am I eligible for Rentstart assistance?

In most cases, you will receive the standard Rentstart assistance if you and your household:

• meet the income eligibility criteria;
• are residents of New South Wales; and
• are over 18 years of age.

You must also:

• have less than $1,000 in savings;
• be able to show that you can afford the rent (you should not exceed 50% of your household’s income);
• not own a property; and
• intend to remain in the home for at least 12 months.

How to Apply

You can apply for Rentstart by faxing or emailing a form to Housing NSW. You can fax the form to us on 1300 722 404 from any location or scan and email a signed copy to rentstart@housing.nsw.gov.au. Self-service fax and phone facilities are available free of charge at many Housing NSW offices.

If you need help filling out the form, or you aren’t sure about something, phone us on 1300 HOUSING (1300 468 746), Monday-Friday 8:00am– 6:00pm and Saturday 9:00am– 5:00pm. A representative, such as a community worker, can fill in the form on your behalf.

Once you've provided the information we need, we’ll get back in touch with you. This is normally within one working day.

If you're approved for Rentstart (that is, you meet all of the criteria), we'll issue the bond lodgement form and payments for advance rent (where applicable) directly to your agent/landlord.

For more information please call 1300 Housing (1300 468 746) or see the Housing NSW's Rentstart policy.

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