Housing SA uses home visits to:

  • build relationships with tenants
  • identify and respond to any support needs tenants and members of the household may have
  • improve the way Housing SA manages tenancies
  • check the conditions of properties.

All Housing SA tenants receive a home visit, except if either:

  • Housing SA is taking action to end the tenancy
  • they’re housed on the Progressive Purchase Scheme
  • they’re housed in a joint venture property
  • the property’s leased to a metropolitan-based domestic violence service
  • the property’s in the Homelessness Supportive Housing Program
  • the property’s in a Specialised Housing Program.

A lease review is considered a home visit for people who either:

  • are on a short term lease or probationary lease agreement
  • are on a 1 year fixed term lease agreement
  • are in the final year of a 2, 5 or 10 year fixed term lease agreement
  • have moved from a probationary lease to a fixed term lease agreement in the last 6 months.

Scheduling and attending home visits

Home visits happen at least once every 12 months. Tenants may receive a home visit more often than this if any of the below apply:

  • they need help to manage any tenancy or support issues
  • they’re included on an intervention order
  • they’ve recently transferred to another property
  • to make sure property condition issues have been resolved.

Tenants receive at least 7 days’ but no more than 14 days’ written notice of a home visit. If a tenant doesn’t provide access to the property, Housing SA may take action through the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to get access.

Tenants who can’t attend can either:

  • contact Housing SA to reschedule
  • nominate a third party to attend and represent the tenant at the home visit.

Rescheduling a home visit

Home visits can be brought forward up to 6 months or postponed for up to 3 months if any of the below apply:

  • the tenant’s unavailable due to a medical procedure or period of hospitalisation
  • the tenant will be away from property for a significant period, for example they’re visiting interstate
  • the tenant or other occupant is excluded from the property under the terms of an interim intervention order
  • a home detention application outcome is pending.

If the home visit is also a lease review it can only be rescheduled to a date before the end of the lease agreement.

During a home visit

Housing SA staff wear identification at home visits and tenants may ask to see it. Tenants may be asked to provide proof of their identity.

During the home visit Housing SA:

  • explains the purpose of the visit
  • gives the tenant a chance to talk about concerns they might have
  • inspects all the rooms in the property to make sure they’re kept in good condition
  • inspects the yards, garden and tenant alterations, for example sheds, garages
  • talks to the tenant about their obligations under their lease agreement
  • asks about the whereabouts and wellbeing of any children aged 5 or under and who are known to live at the property, if they aren’t there during the home visit
  • reports any breaches of an intervention order to the police
  • identifies if the tenant or the other occupant may be vulnerable or at risk, and needs support and will make referrals to appropriate support agencies if support needs are identified
  • collects any information regarding the tenancy or the property that Housing SA needs, for example other occupants, overcrowding
  • may take photos of any identified property condition issues that require follow up.

Related information

Controlling documents

This policy is based on and complies with:

Supporting documents

  • Home visits guideline v5

Related documents and resources

Date this policy applies from

10 July 2023

Version number

5

The online version of the policy is the approved and current version. There’s no guarantee any printed copies are current.