Public housing leases are no longer for life. The length of time a tenant can stay in public housing will be matched to their need for public housing. This will enable Housing NSW to assist a greater number of people in the longer term.
Since 1 July 2005, most new tenants entering public housing are offered a fixed term lease.
Fixed term leases will be reviewed before they end to decide if an extension to the lease should be offered and if so, how long it should be.
The change to fixed term leases applies to people currently on the housing register and new applicants for public housing. These changes also apply to applicants for Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) properties managed by Housing NSW.
Tenants who entered Housing NSW or AHO properties managed by Housing NSW before 1 July 2005 will keep their existing tenancy arrangements – except for tenants on renewable tenancies who will receive a continuous lease at the end of their current lease.