Your home

BHC uses two different accounts for rental payments. If you are a new or recent resident, your Letter of Offer will indicate the correct account for your tenancy. The two accounts are:

• BHC Creating Liveable Communities
• BHC Affordable Living

If you’re unsure which account applies to you, please contact the Client Service Hub on (07) 3307 3000 for assistance.

Rent Payment Options

Yes, BHC conducts annual eligibility reviews to ensure household income and assets remain within the required limits. This is an important part of living in social and affordable housing.

When requested, residents must return declarations and provide documents such as:

• Proof of income;
• Employment details;
• Tax returns; or
• Bank statements.

Refusing to provide required documents is a breach of the Tenancy Agreement and we may issue a Notice to Leave for the ending of Housing Assistance.

If two consecutive annual income reviews confirm that household income exceeds the limits, or if an annual asset review determines that household assets surpass eligibility requirements, BHC may issue a Notice to Leave (Form 12), requiring you to vacate. We will provide reasonable timelines and as much information and support as possible.

We understand that circumstances can change. If you’re having trouble paying your rent, please get in touch with your Housing Manager as early as possible as we may be able to help.

If you are planning to end your tenancy with BHC, please give as much notice as you can:

If you’re in general tenancy, you must provide at least 2 weeks’ written notice.  If you’re in boarding room accommodation, you must provide at least 7 days’ written notice.

Written notice can be given via:

• A letter;
• An email; or
• A Notice of Intention to Leave (Form 13).

The property should be in the same condition as when you moved in, except for fair wear and tear. Damage, including from pets, is not considered fair wear and tear.

If you had a pet during your tenancy, additional cleaning and inspection requirements  apply, including carpet steam cleaning and flea pest control. This applies whether the pet was approved or not approved, and also applies to service animals.

You must complete an Exit Condition Report – General Tenancies (Form 14a) and submit it to BHC. Refer also to your Entry Condition Report – General Tenancies (Form 1a) from the start of your tenancy.

Your bond will be returned by the RTA after:

• All rent and invoices are paid; and
• Any cleaning, damage, or other charges are cleared.
• See the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) website for more information on bonds.

You will be given the necessary keys for your home by your Housing Manager when you move in.

If you lose your keys, replacement of keys/locks is at your own cost. All lock changes and new keys must be arranged through BHC.

Consider keeping a spare set in a safe place with a trusted friend to avoid locksmith expenses.

• Contact the Client Services Hub – Maintenance Line for key purchases.
• In some cases, BHC may approve small key safes (check with your Housing Manager).
• All keys must be returned at the end of your tenancy. If they are not, a change of locks and keys fee will apply.

Residents are responsible for managing their keys and access to their homes. If you lose your keys or lock them inside your apartment, you may need to arrange a locksmith at your own expense (please ensure the locksmith lets you in but does not change the locks).  If locks are changed by a non-BHC locksmith, the cost to return it to the BHC key system will be at tenants’ cost.

Options during business hours

You may call us to check if a spare key is available.  If a spare is available, visit BHC head office to collect and borrow it. The key must be returned within one business day – failure to return it will result in a charge.

If no spare key is available, BHC may try to arrange a locksmith at your expense. If that’s not possible, you will be responsible for organising the locksmith.

Please ensure the locks are not changed.

Options after business hours

Consider staying with a family or friend.  If this is not an option you may phone contact the BHC After Hours service (call 3307 3000), to arrange a BHC preferred locksmith on your behalf. You will be responsible for the cost.

Alternatively, you may call a locksmith to provide access. (Please note, a locksmith who is not a BHC preferred locksmith may not be able to access front entry of a secure building).

Ensure locksmiths do not change the locks.

Lock changes due to domestic and family violence (DFV)

Tenants experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV) have options to manage their tenancy arrangements and enact plans to end the violence.

As BHC is on a master key system, if a lock change is required due to a domestic and family violence situation, contact your BHC Housing Manager to organise and we will change the locks without charge. While other options exist under legislation – such as changing locks yourself – contacting BHC will be the most cost effective option.

For more information on this please speak to your Housing Manager.