New South Wales Government
Teacher Housing Authority of NSW

1. Home
2. Tenancy Services
3. Tenant Handbook
4. Introduction

Introduction

Preamble

This handbook deals with issues specifically relating to teacher tenants. It should be read in conjunction with a publication produced by the NSW Office of Fair Trading, “The renting guide – regional”, which addresses your rights and responsibilities as a tenant (a copy was included in the information supplied at the commencement of your tenancy).

Object

The principal object of the Teacher Housing Authority (THA) is to provide suitable and adequate housing accommodation for Government School and TAFE NSW teachers. Our services are directed mainly at areas of the State where there is an inadequate private rental market and housing for teachers must be provided to ensure that schools and TAFE NSW colleges are adequately staffed.

Constitution of the Teacher Housing Authority

The THA is an independent statutory corporation constituted under the Teacher Housing Authority Act 1975 and is directly responsible to the Minister for Education and Training. The THA maintains a close liaison with the Department of Education and Training (DET) regarding the housing needs of teachers.

Tenancy Liaison Service (TLS)

In many centres, the THA has established a TLS utilising the resources (where available) of local real estate agents. These agents:

• undertake pre and post tenancy inspections;
• arrange minor maintenance;
• undertake six-monthly inspections;
• arrange the holding of keys; and
• provide general tenancy advice to tenants.

The agent DOES NOT:

1. collect rent;

2. allocate housing; or

3. arrange major maintenance work;

The THA has an agreement with each TLS agent which outlines their responsibilities and obligations regarding service delivery. If you experience problems with the service the agent is providing, you should try to resolve the matter directly with the agent. If that is not successful, you should contact the THA Tenancy Officer for your area.

The agent for the dwelling you occupy is shown on page 3 of your Residential Tenancy Agreement. Where the agent is shown as the THA or Department of Commerce, this means there is no local real estate agent to manage the dwelling.

Moving In

When you move in, it is your responsibility to arrange and pay for the connection of services such as electricity, gas and telephone. Services are to be connected in your own name with the exception of gas cylinder rental (see section LP Gas).

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