Start up costs
MFYH charges bond and rent in different ways depending on the program you’re housed with, and this will have been made clear to you in the housing offer. The start-up costs usually consist of full payment of the bond (usually four weeks of rent) and advanced rent of two weeks.

NB: We let you know at housing offer if you are able apply for Rentstart Bond Loan and at start-up regular rent payments can be set-up by us for you via Centrepay.

Centrelink – Rent Assistance
If you are receiving any payments from Centrelink, you may be entitled to receive additional Commonwealth Rental Assistance (CRA). These payments,
if you are eligible, can really help with your cost of living. We strongly recommend that you update your rent and address details with Centrelink ASAP and enquire to see if you are eligible to receive CRA. See more information here.

Property condition report
Completing a property condition report is an important task when starting a tenancy and you’ll receive an electronic condition report at start-up (this forms part of your lease).

This property condition report details the condition of the property room for room and gives you a chance to also provide assessment (you must complete your complete your part and return it within 7 days). Its important to be as detailed as you can as any damage not listed on this report (that isn’t considered wear and tear) may be claimed from your bond money (we will discuss this with you at time of exiting the property).

Connecting utilities (gas, electricity, or water)
Utilities may need to be connected in your name or you maybe be asked to contribute to these depending on the program you’re housed with – check your Housing Offer! If utilities need to be connected in your name, we recommend this is done immediately when you move in. If you receive a Centrelink benefit, you may be eligible for a rebate so check with the service company. Contact your support provider if you need help setting up utilities or speak with your Youth Housing Manager.

Engaging with your support provider
We partner with young people and their support provider/s to ensure that all tenants have the support they need to have a successful tenancy and achieve the life they want.

All housing products we offer require tenants to have and actively engage with a local support provider/s. This usually is the provider that helped you apply for your housing with us, and their primary purpose is to help you to achieve your goals, maintain your tenancy and offer support if or when you need help including transitioning into your next housing venture.

If you need further information or support around engaging a support provider, please please speak with your Youth Housing Manager.

Pets
We understand the potential personal benefits for tenants having pets and we consider the needs of many stakeholders including tenants (share house mates), neighbours, owners of properties managed by us, Strata Agents & our neighbours in strata units – all of which are transitional in nature. Having considered all of the above, our policy position is that because most of our properties and all shared housing placements are considered incompatible with pets, that equity for all tenants is best met by having a general rule that pets are not permitted in MFYH tenancies. This means that no pets are allowed in any tenancy unless we have provided express approval in writing.

Technology & Communication
MFYH offer many ways in which young people can communicate effectively with their Youth Housing Manager including in person, via mobile phone, email, SMS or online through platforms. We want to be accessible and available to you in multiple ways to ensure that you can always reach out.

We have improved the way we manage/send formal notices including lease sign ups, property condition reports, and other important information – this is all communicated now electronically by using Property Express. We can send you these documents and you get to review and sign them through email, and they can be accessed on a digital device like mobile phone or computer.

Tenant Rights & Responsibilities
All tenants have both rights and responsibilities under the NSW Residential Tenancies Act 2010. We have also developed a Tenant Rights and Tenant Responsibilities’ fact sheets with key information we believe will help you have a successful tenancy.

MFYH Tenant Rights Fact Sheet TAP HERE TO DOWNLOAD

MFYH Tenant Responsibilities Fact Sheet TAP HERE TO DOWNLOAD

To read Tenancy Information Statement and Landlord Information statement in other languages on the Tenants Union of NSW click here.

Support organisations that can also help you with your rights and responsibilities:

Tenants Union Advice Line: 1800 251 101

Aboriginal Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services:
www.tenants.org.au/aboriginal-tenants

Fair Trading:
www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/renting

Repairs & Maintenance
MFYH do our best to maintain a high standard of housing to make sure our tenants are safe and comfortable in their homes; therefore, property maintenance is always a high priority for us.

MFYH is responsible for carrying out repairs and maintenance to all properties but in some cases it’s the landlord of a privately leased property responsibility.

This factsheet will be given to you at sign up so you have the important information contacts you need to report a repair including after hours and urgent repairs (we recommend and will guide you on immediately programming these numbers into your phone):

It is important that you return this information by the due date or otherwise we will assume that you no longer require subsidised rent, and your rent may be increased to market rate.
If your income changes prior to the set reviews above, you must notify your Youth Housing Manager within seven days of your income changing and provide all the necessary information requested.

Tenancy Reviews
MFYH conduct regular tenancy reviews before any further housing (leases) are offered. With the feedback of your support provider we ensure that all tenants are meeting the requirements of the program. We are reviewing things like these and asking your support provider to give us feedback about how you’re going in the program:

• Your ability to live independently (living & life skills)
• Committing and engaging in support
• Meeting case plan outcomes (employment &/or education as for most of our programs this is an important factor in your ability to continue to be able to afford rent and rent privately upon exiting)

Important factsheets and policies to help you sustain your tenancy
All of our housing is transitional and a stepping stone towards you being able to rent independently in the private market. Your tenancy history with us starts building your ‘resume’ for all future housing success. It’s therefore important to us that you understand how to sustain a tenancy which includes preventing breaches occurring in your tenancy.

Important factsheets or policies to guide you on maintaining a successful tenancy (and prevent breaches);

Rent Arrears fact sheet TAP HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Understanding Your Tenant Statement TAP HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Caring for your Property TAP HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Living in a Community TAP HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Shared House Harmony TAP HERE TO DOWNLOAD

We understand that sometimes life happens and factors beyond your control occur and there are times when you need more support and guidance – this is when it is important to engage with your support provider or ask us a question. Or click here to Ask Izzy for a local service near you that can help (e.g. food assistance, legal matters etc).

You should also check with your support provider if they know of any services running rental courses (like Rent it Keep it or Reality Rentals) to help you on your learning journey.

We can help you with information such as; letting you know the correct notice period when vacating, scheduling a pre-vacate inspection, how to get your bond back, how to hand in your keys, and even provide you with rental reference material so you can secure that home you are looking for (such as a reference letter, tenant ledger and routine inspection reports).

Please understand that information that we provide in reference requests must be factual and honest.

Leaving your Home TAP HERE TO DOWNLOAD

MFYH Final Inspection Checklist TAP HERE TO DOWNLOAD