About this resource
Renting your first place is exciting and can be confusing. This guide covers working out what you can afford, applications and references, bond, condition reports, reading the lease, rights and responsibilities, and where to get free tenancy advice.
Purpose
To help young people rent with confidence and know their rights.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Youth workers. Also relevant for community services and case workers, social workers.
Client or participant group: Young people aged about 16 to 25 preparing to rent.
Practice setting: Youth services, transition from care and housing programs.
Suggested uses
- Preparing to move out
- Leaving care
- Housing support
- Life skills groups
Instructions for practitioners
- Check current rules in your state or territory.
- Help young people prepare a rental application.
- Explain condition reports carefully.
- Link with tenancy advice services.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Work out what you can afford.
- Prepare your application.
- Do a careful condition report.
Accessibility considerations
Plain language. Can be shared digitally.
Scope and limitations
General information. Tenancy laws 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.
