7.2.14 Purpose
7.2.15 Member
to include release clause in lease
7.2.16 Member
waiting for a tenant to leave their home
7.2.17 CDF
discretion to grant assistance
7.2.18 Home
leased for commercial purposes
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This Division sets out how a member's own home may be deemed to be unsuitable because it is rented out and the member cannot get vacant possession. This may entitle the member to housing assistance under Part 3, 5 or 6 of this Chapter. |
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1. |
A member who rents out their own home must include a release clause in a fixed-term lease if State or Territory legislation permits it. Note: This includes seeking approval by a Residential Tenancy Tribunal or a similar body, if necessary. |
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2. |
A member might lease their own home for longer than 12 months and they could (but do not) include a release clause in the lease. In this case, they are not entitled to housing assistance for a posting at the location of the home. Exception: The CDF may exercise discretion to grant assistance under clause 7.2.17. |
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If a member has included a release clause in a lease, their own home is taken to be unsuitable when all these conditions are met. |
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a. |
They rented the house to a tenant before they knew of their posting to the location of the home. |
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b. |
Notice to terminate the tenancy has been given in time to allow the member to occupy the house on posting. |
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c. |
They must wait for a period set out in the lease before they can live in the home. |
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Example: A member has rented out their home for a fixed term of 12 months. A release clause is included in the lease. It provides that the lease can be ended with two months’ notice. They are posted back to the home's location seven months into the lease. They must wait two months before they can live in the home. They are entitled to housing assistance for the period that their home is unsuitable. |
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If a member does not include a release clause in a lease, they must tell the Housing Management Centre Manager in writing all the following. |
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a. |
Why a release clause was not in the lease. |
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b. |
The length of the lease and when the lease was signed. |
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What they are doing to be able to live in the home. |
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The CDF may grant housing assistance to the member. The CDF must take into account whether the member has done all the following. |
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Notified the tenant in writing that the lease is to be terminated at the earliest practicable date. |
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Taken any other formal steps under the relevant legislation needed to get vacant possession of the home. |
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c. |
Written to the Housing Management Centre giving the earliest date they would be able to live in the home and what action they have taken to get vacant possession. |
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Example: The member writes to the Housing Management Centre to explain that they could not include a release clause under the legislation. However, the member can still get vacant possession after the posting starts because the tenant has given notice to leave. The CDF authorised person approves housing assistance until the tenant leaves. |
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3. |
A member who is refused housing assistance by CDF is subject to these conditions. |
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a. |
The Housing Management Centre Manager may offer them a Service residence (if available) at Defence Housing Australia rent for the period that they are not eligible for housing assistance. See: Clause 7.5.15, Member not eligible for Service residence. |
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b. |
No rent allowance or other assistance is provided to the member for the period. |
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Persons who can make the decision under subclause 7.2.17.2 on behalf of the CDF: A person not below WO2(E)/APS 4 who is: - Team Leader in the Housing Management Centre (HMC) - Relocations Manager in the Housing Management Centre - Housing Management Centre Manager - National Operations – Removals Manager - National Operations – Vacancy/Allocations Manager - National Relocations Manager Staff Officer – Housing and Accommodation Executive Officer – Relocations, Dependants and Housing Assistant Director Entitlements Director Entitlements |
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1. |
A member may have leased their home for commercial purposes. The home will still be considered a suitable own home if it has enough bedrooms for the member’s dependants. |
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No housing assistance is available to a member whose suitable own home is unavailable because it is commercially leased. Example: A member leases their home to the Defence Housing Australia for it to use as a Service residence for five years. |