Applying for a Rentstart Bond Loan
Homes NSW operates Rentstart to provide financial assistance to help you set up or maintain a tenancy in the private rental market. The loan is interest-free and repayable Homes NSW.
Under Rentstart, we may be able to assist you with a loan of up to 100% of your rental bond to establish a tenancy in the private market.
We will send your landlord or agent a completed Rental Bond Lodgement form. They must sign it and send it to the Rental Bond Board. When this is done, Homes NSW's contribution will be electronically transferred to the Rental Bond Board.
Your payments will be fortnightly and based on a 12 or 18 month payment plan. In exceptional circumstances a 36 month payment plan may be offered. Your payment plan will be based on how much of your income will be spent on rent.
Applying for a Renstart Bond Loan
To apply for a Rentstart Bond Loan, you must be at least 18 years old. However, in some cases, if you are aged 16-17 you may be considered. You’ll need to provide evidence showing you and your household meet the eligibility criteria for social housing and Rentstart Assistance. This applies to everyone on your application aged 18 or older.
You can apply for a Rentstart Bond Loan in one of 2 ways:
Online
The quickest and simplest way to apply is by completing the online form.
Email
Download the Application for Rentstart form and send the completed form to your local Housing office.
During the application process you can expect:
- to receive communication from us via email and SMS
- to be able to update your form over 14 days
- to be able to upload supporting documents online
- that your income and identification details are checked securely online.
Get step-by-step help with the online form.
Rentstart Bond Loan eligibility
You are eligible for a bond loan if:
- you are eligible for social housing
- you are an Australian Citizen or permanent resident
- you meet the income and assets eligibility limits for your household. Under the Rentstart Bond Loan criteria, the social housing income eligibility requirement has been waivered for people experiencing domestic or family violence.
- you have less than $5000 in cash assets
- you do not own or part-own property (exceptions to waiving the property ownership rule)
- you have been approved for the rental property the rent for the property must not exceed 50% of the household’s total gross (before tax) weekly income.
You must provide evidence of:
- identity
- all sources of income and assets, and
- Australian Citizenship or permanent residency
- any land or property you or anyone on your application own, or part own.
Information about the type of evidence we need to assess your application is in the Evidence Requirements Information Sheet.
Rentstart Bond Loan Affordability Estimator
You can now check your rental affordability based on the Rentstart Bond Loan criteria by clicking on the Rentstart Bond Loan Affordability Estimator link below. The results provided are an estimate only and are based on the information you provide. Your actual affordability and eligibility will be reviewed once a full application has been lodged.
Rentstart Bond Loan Affordability Estimator
For more information, see Rentstart Assistance policy and Eligibility for Social Housing policy.
Other forms you may need to support your application
The below forms can help support your application:
We’re here to help
If you have an enquiry, contact:
Housing Response Centre
Find your nearest housing office
Use the housing office finder to locate your nearest office.