As demand for SA Housing Trust housing is very high there is a waiting list for people applying for housing and for current SA Housing Trust tenants requesting a transfer. The waiting list is divided into four categories, with applications placed into the category which best reflects the urgency of housing need:

SA Housing Trust's stock of housing in some localities is limited, which can mean longer waiting times for those areas.

An applicant’s refusal of a second offer of housing will result in their application being deferred for two years, reverting to the bottom of the category or being moved into another category on the waiting list.

For more information, see the SA Housing Trust policies.

SA Housing Trust is required to set rents at market levels, which are determined by reference to the Valuer General. However, reduced or rebated rents are provided for low income households to ensure affordability.

Every SA Housing Trust home has a full rent set which is the maximum rent that may be charged for that home. The full rent of a property is based on the market rate and this is reviewed each year. Tenants who cannot afford the market rate pay a reduced amount.

Tenants who pay reduced rents are required to provide Housing SA with proof of their income on a regular basis, and reduced rents are adjusted in line with increases in income.

Some financial assistance (for bonds, rent in advance and rent in arrears) is available to households renting in the private rental market . More information about this assistance is available from SA Housing Trust via the SA Gov- Help Paying Bond and Rent website.

While most conditions for SA Housing Trust tenancies are governed by the South Australian Housing Trust Act 1995 (SA), some sections of the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) also apply. These sections specifically relate to matters such as quiet enjoyment of premises, security of premises, conduct by the tenant and termination and eviction by the landlord.

The relevant sections of the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) that apply to SA Housing Trust tenants are:

Most importantly, where problems and disputes arise, matters are heard by the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal SACAT.

See Resolving tenancy disputes.

The SA Housing Trust requires tenants to sign the lease agreement before moving into the home. This is a contract which binds both the SA Housing Trust and the tenant to observe a clearly stated set of responsibilities.

The SA Housing Trust requires each new tenant to begin with a 12 month probationary lease. If tenants show that they can keep to the conditions of their lease agreement, they may then be offered a fixed term lease of either one, two, five or ten years. If tenants fail to keep to the conditions of their lease agreement, but could benefit from further support to do so, they may be offered a further 12 month probationary lease.

For more information, see the SA Housing Trust policies, in particular the policy on probationary and fixed term lease agreements.

Although SA Housing Trust tenancies are not subject to all of the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA), the conditions of SA Housing Trust tenancies are broadly consistent with those applying in private sector tenancies and, where possible, the SA Housing Trust complies with the spirit of the Act. See Which legislation appliesfor more information about the relevant residential tenancies provisions.

The SA Housing Trust will normally carry out and pay for repairs resulting from fair wear and tear. It is important that tenants notify the SA Housing Trust as soon as any repair is needed.

Urgent repairs, such as a gas leak or burst water pipes, may be reported at any time by telephoning 131 288.

Non-urgent repairs may be reported by logging in to Housing Connect.

The tenant must pay the cost of any repairs which, in the SA Housing Trust's opinion, are not the result of fair wear and tear. The tenant is also responsible for keeping the dwelling in good rentable condition. This means that the tenant must pay the cost of repairs to damaged windows, screens, fences and gates, of clearing blocked drains and of replacing plugs, light globes or lost keys. Where damage is caused by the tenant's family or visitors Housing SA will also require the tenant to pay.

Tenants may wallpaper interior walls, lay floor coverings and hang pictures. However, the tenant must repair any damage caused by doing these things. Trust officers are available to advise tenants on appropriate methods and materials. The tenant must have the SA Housing Trust's approval before making any additions or alterations to the premises.

More information on maintenance and repairs is available from the SA Housing Trust website.

Relocation

The SA Housing Trust may ask a tenant to move to another property, either temporarily or permanently, if any of the below conditions apply:

In this situation the SA Housing Trust tries to negotiate an acceptable housing alternative with the tenant and may cover any reasonable costs, such as those for a removalist. See the SA Housing Trust policyon relocation on the website.

Registration for transfer

A tenant who has been living in their present home for at least 3 years can apply for a transfer to a vacant property. The SA Housing Trust may approve a Category 1 or 2 transfer where the tenant is at risk or has at least one tenancy issue (such as a need to be closer to medical supports) and where their current accommodation is unsuitable in the long term. See the SA Housing Trust policyon transfers on the website.

Tenant exchanges

The SA Housing Trust also operates a scheme through which approved tenants can exchange properties, but this will only be approved if the properties involved are appropriate to the needs of the exchanging tenants. See the SA Housing Trust policy on mutual exchange on the website.

More information on relocation, transfer and tenant exchanges is available from Housing SA (see the SA Gov- Transfers and Relocations website.)

Tenant ending the tenancy

A tenant may end their SA Housing Trust tenancy when they provide at least 14 day's written notice to the SA Housing Trust or when they receive a final intervention order prohibiting them from living in their SA Housing Trust property.

SA Housing Trust ending the tenancy

The SA Housing Trust may end a tenancy if any of the following apply:

The SA Housing Trust will give the tenant a notice to remedy breach and termination first and then, if necessary, apply to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal(SACAT) for an order for possession.

The SA Housing Trust or another interested party may also apply to end a tenancy if the tenant's conduct is unacceptable, such that it interferes with the reasonable peace, comfort or privacy of another person residing in the immediate vicinity, it is a nuisance or it is illegal [see ss 71 and 90]. See Unacceptable conduct by a tenant.

More information on ending a tenancy is available from the SA Housing Trust (see the SA Gov- Ending a Public Housing Tenancy website).

See also the SA Housing Trust policies on the website, in particular the policies on good neighbours and ending a public housing tenancy.

Abandoned Goods after ending a tenancy

Where a tenancy has ended and the tenant has abandoned goods left on the SA Housing Trust property, the SA Housing Trust can, at least 2 days after taking possession of the premises:

See South Australian Housing Trust Regulations 2025 (SA) regulation 11(1).

SA Housing Trust must also provide notice to the tenant within 7 days of storing their goods in a method and form prescribed by regulation [reg 11(2)].

SA Housing Trust is entitled to recover from the tenant the reasonable costs of storing and/or removing the goods, as well as any other reasonable costs incurred by having the goods left on the property [reg 11(4)].

See also the SA Housing Trust Abandoned Property and Goods Policy.

Where a tenant has committed domestic abuse against a person who normally resides at the premises or where an intervention order has been issued against a tenant for the protection of a person who normally resides at SA Housing Trust premises, the tenancy can be terminated [Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) s 89A(2)]. Alternatively, the tenancy can be terminated and replaced with a new one without the alleged perpetrator of the domestic abuse as a party. Orders can also be made to determine liability for any damage caused as a result of an incident of domestic abuse and to refund the bond accordingly. Applications must be made to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT). See Resolving Disputes.

It is also SA Housing Trust's policy to terminate a tenancy if the tenant doesn't leave the property after receiving a final intervention order prohibiting them from living at the property. For more information, see the Housing Trust policieson the South Australian Department of Human Services website, in particular the policies on domestic abuse and ending a public housing tenancy.

SA Housing Trust clients may apply for review of decisions made in relation to their tenancy to the SA Housing Trust. There is a two stage appeal process set out in the South Australian Housing Trust Act 1995 (SA) [ss 32A, 32C and 32D].

What decisions can be appealed?

SA Housing Trust decisions that can be appealed include:

The review officer may recommend that the original decision be overturned if it is satisfied that the decision has not been made in line with SA Housing Trust policy.

What things cannot be appealed?

The appeal process does not deal with:

Overview of the appeals process

There are two stages of review for public housing appeals.

1^st stage : Internal Review

A review is conducted internally by a SA Housing Trust officer/s. At the end of the review, the applicant must be given a written statement setting out the outcome of the review and the reasons for the decision (unless the decision is in favour of the applicant, in which case reasons are not necessary) [see South Australian Housing Trust Act 1995 (SA) s 32C].

An application for internal review can be lodged at any stage.

Generally an applicant will be notified of the outcome within 28 days. See the Housing Trust Appeals policy on the South Australian Housing Trust website.

An application can be lodged using the Public Housing Appeal Form with relevant supporting documentation attached.

2^nd stage : Independent Review

An applicant dissatisfied with the outcome of an internal review may apply to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for the independent review of the decision [see South Australian Housing Trust Act 1995 (SA) s 32D].

Applications to review the following decisions must be made within 7 days of being given the written statement setting out the outcome of the internal review [South Australian Housing Trust Regulations 2025 (SA) reg 8]:

Applications for the review of any other decision must be made within 30 days.

Who can help with an appeal?

RentRight SA (formally TIAS)

Provides free independent support to tenants on low incomes in the public, private and community rental markets. Support includes advocacy on tenancy issues such as tenancy rights and responsibilities, application processes for private and public rental, disputes, debts, evictions, and appeals processes.

Telephone: 1800 060 462

Tenancy Advisors are available from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, Monday to Friday

Or visit the RentRight SA website