Aboriginal Community Owned & Managed

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Policies

Policies

SEARMS Aboriginal Corporation aims to operate in a clear and transparent manner, treating Tenants fairly within their rights whilst meeting our legislative and organisational responsibilities.

SEARMS acts as Managing Agent for a number of Owners as well as owning and managing our own housing portfolio. Since government operational funding ceased in 2013, SEARMS has been educating Owners (Tenants) on the costs of home ownership.  This is critical when shaping housing policy, particularly rent setting, to ensure there are sufficient funds to pay costs AND prepare for future works.

With diminishing capacity to continue to subsidise management fees, SEARMS continues to support Owners to transfer management to another Agent or to Self-Agency with advice on NRSCH registration, property management and mentoring housing cadets to achieve Certificate IV in Social Housing.  By the end of the 2024-25 year, a further two Owner Portfolios are scheduled to be handed back.

 

Each property owner has different eligibility criteria and housing policies. This will be set out in the terms of your lease, and will determine the rent you pay.

You can find out which program you’re renting under by looking at your residential tenancy agreement. Generally when you are a tenant your tenancy is managed in accordance with the Residential Tenancy Act, with the Additional Terms section of your Residential Tenancy Agreement stating which additional Owner* Housing Policies may apply to your tenancy to remain eligible for the property.

See the NSW Fair Trading website which has more information on general Landlord and Tenant obligations.

SEARMS housing policy for our properties is determined by SEARMS Board. See SEARMS Sustainable Rent Setting Policy.  We have also put together a SEARMS Rent Review Fact Sheet.

*Please note:  Check with your Housing Officer for the applicable policy for your tenancy.

Organisational Policies: