Non-Homeowner's Basic Assessment Rules

Last updated 12 January 2007

Definition of a non-homeowner

A non-homeowner is a person who does not have a right or interest which gives reasonable security of tenure in the principal home.

Non-homeowner's eligibility for rent allowance

Non-homeowners do not have any right or interest in their principal home and therefore may be eligible for rent assistance.    

Residential situations where rent assistance may be payable

Person's residing in any of the residential situations listed below may be eligible to receive rent assistance, depending on the amount of rent paid.    

• private renters,
• boarders & lodgers,
• mobile home,    
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  Mobile home

  9.2.3/Mobile Home

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• temporary renters,    
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  Sale or Deprivation of Home

  9.2.7/Sale or Deprivation of Home

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• retirement villages (subject to the entry contribution paid),    
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  Special Residence – Assessment Rules

  Section 9.2.5 Special Residence – Assessment Rules

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• granny flats,    
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  Special Residence – Assessment Rules

  Section 9.2.5 Special Residence – Assessment Rules

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• sale leaseback arrangements,    
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  Sale Leaseback Arrangements

  9.2.5/Sale Leaseback Arrangements

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  or
• non-government subsidised care.

Residential situations where there is no rent assistance payable

Persons residing in any of the residential situations listed below are not eligible to receive rent assistance.

• government renters,
• free accommodation,
• government subsidised care, or
• ineligible property owners.

Note: When determining eligibility for housing assistance state government authorities do not take into account the Australian government payment of $25,000 made to World War 2 Australian ex-prisoners of the Japanese, or their widows or widowers. Income earned or derived from the payment, whether deemed or actual, is taken into account when determining a tenant's rent or an applicant's eligibility for public housing. The exception is the NSW housing department, which does not take income derived from the payment when determining the level of housing assistance.

Non-homeowner's assets limit

The higher assets limit applies to non-homeowners.    

Household contents

Household contents are not exempt. They are assessable for assets test purposes. The amount to be held is the market value, not the replacement value.