About this resource
Acting early on rent arrears can help people keep their home. This plan guides tenants and workers through working out the amount owed, getting free tenancy advice, contacting the landlord or agent, offering an affordable repayment plan in writing, checking for financial help and keeping records.
Purpose
To help tenants act early to keep their housing.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Community services and case workers. Also relevant for social workers, youth workers.
Client or participant group: Tenants who are behind on rent, and the workers supporting them.
Practice setting: Housing, tenancy support, emergency relief and community services.
Suggested uses
- Tenancy support appointments
- Emergency relief and case planning
- Preparing for conversations with landlords
- Sustaining tenancies
Instructions for practitioners
- Encourage the tenant to act early.
- Refer to the free tenancy advice service in your state or territory.
- Make sure repayment offers are realistic.
- Seek urgent advice if a notice to vacate has been issued.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Work out how much you owe.
- Get free tenancy advice.
- Contact your landlord or agent and offer a plan you can afford.
Accessibility considerations
Workers can scribe. Interpreters can support.
Scope and limitations
General information. Tenancy laws and assistance differ between states and territories. It is not legal advice.
Research basis
Case management practice standards describe assessment, planning, coordination, review and planned exits with the person at the centre. Debt and financial stress are strongly linked with poorer mental and physical health, so practical financial support is part of holistic care.
- Case Management Society of Australia and New Zealand. (2013). National standards of practice for case management (3rd ed.). https://www.cmsa.org.au/
- Richardson, T., Elliott, P., & Roberts, R. (2013). The relationship between personal unsecured debt and mental and physical health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(8), 1148–1162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2013.08.009
What is included
A 2-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
