Report the behaviour of a tenant in public housing

If you believe that your safety or the safety of others is at risk, call the police on 131 444 (or 000 in an emergency).

On this page

    Intentional or reckless behaviour that interferes with the reasonable peace, comfort and privacy of neighbours is a breach of a tenant's lease agreement.

    It can include:

    • abusive language
    • threats, harassment and intimidation
    • assault
    • excessive noise

    Noise or activity such as children playing or people gathering for cultural obligations is considered a normal part of life — these issues can usually be resolved by talking to the neighbour.

    Report incidents to the right authority

    Contact South Australia Police (SAPOL) to report:

    • loud music, excessive noise or nuisance from parties
    • damage to personal property
    • suspected illegal activity

    Contact the local council for:

    • animal problems – barking dogs, strays
    • noise from machinery and power tools
    • smoke, fumes or odour.

    Your can apply directly to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) for an order to end a tenancy, when what happens at a property interferes with the peace or privacy of neighbours.

      Lodge a complaint

      You can make a complaint to the SA Housing Trust about a tenant’s behaviour using the secure form. It is important to let the SA Housing Trust know even if you have reported to another authority.

      You can also phone 131 299 to make a complaint.

      What happens next

      The SA Housing Trust (the Trust) will keep your complaint confidential — the information provided won't be shared with the tenant or neighbours.

      Public housing tenants have the right to respond to complaints made against them. If the Trust finds the complaint is justified and within its authority, the Trust will either:

      • give the tenant a written warning
      • take steps to end the tenancy

      If the Trust ends the tenancy and the tenant is evicted, the tenant will be excluded from SA Housing Trust services for 12 months.

      Appealing a decision

      Tenants may be able to appeal a decision if they don’t agree with how the SA Housing Trust has managed a complaint or made a decision.


      Related information

      On this site

      Dealing with disruptive neighbours

      Other websites

      Good Neighbour policy - SA Housing Trust


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      Page last updated 6 May 2026

      Provided by:
      South Australian Housing Trust
      URL:
      https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/renting-and-letting/public-housing/tenants/tenant-behaviour
      Last Updated:
      06/05/26
      Printed on:
      04/06/26
      Copyright statement:
      SA.GOV.AU is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Licence. © Copyright 2026
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