Information for tenants | Resilient Homes Program

The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is committed to supporting tenants who are living in homes which have been prioritised for buyback under the Resilient Homes Program.

Sale contracts for Buyback Homes which are subject to a lease or other tenancy arrangement will include a minimum six-month settlement period. The minimum six-month settlement period will apply to tenanted/occupied properties even where the current lease or occupancy agreement requires less notice. The purpose of this minimum settlement period is to provide tenants/occupiers with time to find suitable alternative accommodation.

Minimum six-month settlement

If a lease or other tenancy/occupancy agreement has a term that is longer than the minimum settlement period, RA is offering delayed settlements to allow homeowners to honour those existing arrangements and serve any relevant notices in accordance with NSW Fair Trading tenancy laws.

Where less than six-months notice is required under a current lease or occupancy agreement, RA will still require the minimum settlement period to assist tenants/occupiers.

Should a tenant/occupier reach an agreement with a homeowner to vacate the property prior to the end of the minimum settlement period, RA may agree to an earlier settlement at the homeowner’s request.

Referral pathways for tenants

RA will engage with tenants/occupiers of prioritised buyback homes to advise them that the home may be proceeding under a Home Buyback. This allows tenants/occupiers more time before a buyback offer is accepted. 

If a Home Buyback offer is accepted and proceeds to the contract phase, RA will provide tenants/occupiers with referral pathways to assist with finding suitable alternate accommodation or other support. Please refer to the Information for tenants Fact sheet.

Tenants/occupiers can access support and advice about tenancy arrangements by visiting the following sites:

• Fair Trading NSW - Get more information on minimum notice periods under tenancy agreements.
• Tenants Union NSW
• Northern Rivers Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Service
• Northern Rivers community legal centre
   

Tenants in buyback homes can contact the Resilient Homes Program team on 1800 844 085 or resilienthomesprogram@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au.