Net rent rules for Rent Assistance (RA) 108-18092653
Expand allCombined rent payable and total rent payable
When claiming RA, the combined rent payable by each member of the household cannot exceed the total rent amount paid for the dwelling.
A primary tenant's rent may reduce for RA purposes by the amount they charge another tenant. For example, the rent for the property is $180 per week. The primary tenant charges the other tenant in the house $80 per week for lodging. The primary tenant will receive RA based on $100 per week.
This applies regardless of who is sharing the accommodation, including:
- other family members, or
- a person who is not a Services Australia customer
The income from boarders and lodgers may be assessable if the other person is not an immediate family member.
The Resources page contains a link to the Level 2 Policy Helpdesk and scenarios.
Related links
Qualification for payment of Rent Assistance (RA)
Completing the Accommodation Details (AC) screen and assessing Rent Assistance (RA)
Sharer Status field on the Accommodation Details (AC) screen
Rent Assistance (RA) verification
Rent Assistance (RA) for travellers
Rent Assistance (RA) historical information
Income from boarders and lodgers
Accommodation Circumstance Intervention (ACI)
Request for an explanation, quality check or review (CLK)