On this page:
How rents are calculated in public housing
Applying for a reduced rent
Updating household or income details
Visitors and rent charges
How rents are calculated in public housing
Public housing rent takes into account the size and nature of the premises and the tenant's capacity to pay. There are three types of rent:
- Full rent - the maximum rent that can be charged regardless of household income. Full rent is based on market rates using information provided by the State Valuer General.
- Reduced rent – is based on household income and ensures that rent is not more than 25% of the gross household income.
- Cottage flat rents are calculated as follows:
- bedsitters (no separate bedrooms) – is based on 19% of the gross household income
- one bedroom cottage flats – is based on 21% of the gross household income
- two bedroom cottage flats – is based on 25% of the gross household income.
Some forms of income are not included in the rent calculation – eg pension supplement, pharmaceutical allowance, carer’s allowance.
Other forms of income are subject to lower rates - eg Family Tax Benefit payments are assessed at 15%. Income received by children aged 16 to 20 are assessed at 15%.
Once a child in the household turns 21 they are considered an adult and their income is assessed at 25%.
Reduced rents are reviewed regularly to make sure you are paying the correct amount.
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Applying for a reduced rent
Step 1: Get a rent assessment form
Step 2: Complete the form You will need to complete the form and provide proof of income for everyone in the household aged 18 years or older. The proof of income you provide must be no more than two weeks old.
If you or other household members receive an income from Centrelink you can use the free
Income Confirmation Service. This authorises Centrelink to provide relevant income details directly to Housing SA. This replaces the need for you to physically provide proof of your Centrelink income.
Step 3: Lodge the form Lodge completed forms with Housing SA:
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Updating household or income details
If you are paying a reduced rent and your household income or the number of people living in your household changes, you must notify Housing SA in writing within 14 days. Follow the same steps and use the same form as to apply for a reduced rent.
Centrelink does not automatically notify Housing SA of any changes to your income, even if you are using the Income Confirmation Service. You must notify Housing SA yourself.
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Visitors and rent charges
A person is considered to be a visitor by Housing SA if they:
- have their own residential address, separate from your address, and
- are staying temporarily with you.
Visitors can stay for up to 12 weeks without affecting the amount of reduced rent you pay.
A person is considered to be a household member by Housing SA when:
- their residential address is the same as yours, or
- they stay longer than 12 weeks.
The person’s income is then included in your rent calculations. If you haven't told Housing SA about a visitor, or the visitor stays longer than 12 weeks, their income will be included in your rent assessment from the date they moved in.
If a person moves into your property on an ongoing basis you must tell Housing SA as soon as possible. Proof of income must be provided so the correct rent can be calculated. Rent changes will take effect two weeks from when the person first moved in.
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More information
On this site
Paying Housing SA accounts Having difficulty with paying a Housing SA account Downloads
Rent charges (
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Income: Proof of income and identity (
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Extra persons in Housing SA properties (
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Lump sum implications (
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