In some circumstances, Housing SA may agree to transfer a public housing tenancy to another person who lives at the same address. This is known as a tenancy succession.
A court can also make an order to assign a tenancy into someone else's name as part of an intervention order.
Who can apply
Partners
A partner of the current tenant may be eligible to have the tenancy transferred if:
- the tenant dies or leaves the property
- Housing SA can verify the partner was living at the property when the tenant died or left
- no one in the household owns or partly owns residential property.
Extra requirements for Aboriginal housing
The partner must either provide confirmation of Aboriginality or meet all these conditions:
- they have custodial care of at least one of the tenant's children
- the tenant's child will live in the house as a permanent household member from the time the tenancy is transferred.
- the tenancy will be transferred to the tenant’s child when they start receiving an independent income.
Extra requirements for housing managed by Housing SA in an Aboriginal community
The partner must verify they’re of Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander descent or meet both these conditions:
- they have custodial care of Aboriginal children
- the community’s local governing body confirms the partner is connected to the community
Other family members
Another family member, for example, the tenant's child, may be eligible to have the tenancy transferred to them if they meet all these conditions:
- the tenant dies or leaves the property
- Housing SA can verify that the family member has been living in the property continuously for at least 12 months immediately before applying (applies to public or Aboriginal housing)
- the family member is eligible for housing
- the tenancy hasn't previously been transferred to a partner or another family member (applies to public or Aboriginal housing).
If it’s an Aboriginal housing property, the family member must also verify they’re of Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander descent.
How to apply
1. Complete the form
Complete a
2. Supporting documents
You'll need to provide proof of income and confirmation of Aboriginality, if required.
If the tenant has died, Housing SA may ask for a copy of the death certificate, death notice or funeral notice.
If the tenant leaves the property they are ending their public housing tenancy and must notify Housing SA.
3. Lodge the form and documents
Return your completed form and all other documents to Housing SA.
Email: housingcustomers@sa.gov.au
Post:
GPO Box 1669
Adelaide SA 5001
In person:
Visit your nearest Housing SA office.
What happens next
If your request is approved
Housing SA will contact you to sign a new lease agreement. You’ll be offered one of these:
- if you're the tenant's partner, the same type of lease agreement as the original tenant
- if you're another family member, a probationary lease agreement
- if it’s housing in an Aboriginal community, an ongoing lease.
If the property isn’t suitable for your household, for example there are not enough bedrooms for the number of people in the household, you may be relocated to a more appropriate property inline with the occupancy standards.
If your request is not approved
You’ll receive a letter telling you you’re not eligible to have the tenancy transferred to you.
If you're unhappy with this decision, you can appeal within 14 days of receiving the letter.
Housing SA will contact you to negotiate a date for you to leave the property.
You may need to sign a holding lease agreement that allows you to temporarily stay in the property.
Related information
Other websites
Tenancy succession policy - SA Housing Authority
