Getting an offer for public housing
Before you can move in, you must update your household details, inspect the home, accept the offer and sign the lease.
When you get an offer of a home, there’s a few things you need to do before you can move in.
You'll need to update your household details, inspect the home, accept the offer and sign the lease.
Before we offer you a home
Housing ACT will contact you to check your situation is still the same.
We will check:
- your household is the same
- you still want to live in the same area
- your income details are up to date
- you don’t owe money to Housing ACT.
If you owe money to Housing ACT, we will help you set up a payment plan to pay the money back.
When you get an offer
We’ll try to offer you a home that meets all your needs. It is called a valid offer if it:
- meets your housing preferences, such as location
- has the number of bedrooms your household is entitled to
- meets medical or special needs.
If you say no to the first offer
You will have to wait before you get a second offer.
You will only get 2 offers. If you say no to the second offer, we will remove you from the waitlist.
For more information, read the Allocations Policy.
Inspecting the home
After you get an offer, you’ll need to inspect the home within 48 hours.
If you don’t inspect the home, it still counts as a valid offer.
To inspect the home, you must bring photo ID to Housing ACT to:
- pick up the keys
- get the address.
After you inspect the home
You must return the keys by 4:00 pm on the same day. If you don’t, we may change the locks and charge you the cost.
When you return the keys you can discuss the offer with us.
You will have 24 hours to decide to accept or to reject the offer.
Accepting the offer and signing the lease
If you accept the offer:
- You’ll get 24 hours to read the tenancy agreement (the lease) and other paperwork.
- You’ll meet with us in the next 2 days to sign the lease and apply for the rental rebate.
The lease
You’ll meet with us to sign the lease. The lease is a legal document that includes:
- your rights and responsibilities as a tenant
- the rights and responsibilities of Housing ACT as your landlord.
At the meeting you’ll get:
- help to understand the lease and apply for the rental rebate
- a property condition report
- details about the rent you’ll pay
- the keys.
Bond and rent
You will not pay a bond.
If you’re a new Housing ACT tenant, you will get the first 2 weeks rent free.
Read more about paying your rent and applying for a rent discount.
If you are transferring from another Housing ACT home
You must continue paying your rent 2 weeks in advance. This starts from the date you sign your new lease.