Finding a rental property
Using an real estate agent to rent a property in retirement is not the only option. Depending on your circumstances, there are also social and affordable housing options.
Renting through an agent or landlord
If you're planning to rent through an agent or landlord, it can help to know about:
- the steps involved in finding and moving into a rental property
- your rights and responsibilities as a tenant
- the financial help available.
Social housing
Social housing is secure and affordable rental housing for people on low incomes with housing needs. It includes:
- public housing, managed by the Department of Communities and Justice
- community housing, managed by non-government social housing providers
- housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
A participating social housing provider will assess the eligibility and priority of applications. This assessment only needs to be done once, and will be accepted by any participating social housing provider.
There are currently long waiting periods for social housing in NSW. To talk about emergency housing options, contact Link2Home on 1800 152 152.
Apply online for social housing at the Department of Communities and Justice.
Affordable housing
Affordable housing is open to people on a wider range of incomes than social housing.
In most situations, affordable housing is managed by charities, not for profits, or community organisations.
You might need to move into affordable housing because of a change in your life, such as losing a job, or if your income isn't high enough to pay rent in the area where you live or work.
What you pay in rent can vary, but it's generally priced so you can meet other living costs.
Get a list of affordable housing providers at the Department of Communities and Justice.
Housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The Aboriginal Housing Office ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to affordable, quality housing.
It is based in NSW, and provides a wide range of services including:
- support for housing and crisis accommodation
- ensuring that housing is appropriate to the social and cultural requirements, living patterns, and preferences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Apply online for housing at the Aboriginal Housing Office.
The Department of Communities and Justice also provides low cost and culturally-appropriate housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in NSW.
Learn more and apply for Aboriginal housing at the Department of Communities and Justice.