RentConnect a success for Cairns residents

More and more people are securing a spot in Cairns’ private rental market thanks to the Queensland Government’s RentConnect initiative.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Dr Bruce Flegg said the RentConnect Advisory Service could help get people into the private rental market for the first time.

“Due to any number of non-financial barriers such as limited rental history, lack of understanding of how the private market works or lack of documentation, it can be really difficult for some people to secure a property,” Dr Flegg said.

“RentConnect makes that initial transition a lot easier, helping them get a ‘foot in the door’ which is the first step for tenants in finding a place they can call home.”

Since April 2010, RentConnect has helped 673 clients in the Cairns region, with 146 of them known to have secured tenancies in the private market.

“Recently, a couple from New South Wales moved to Cairns and spent eight weeks in a hotel unsuccessfully trying to secure a tenancy in the private rental market,” he said.

“The couple had limited funds, literacy and numeracy issues, no transport, needed to be close to medical facilities and needed a lowset location.

“The Cairns RentConnect Advisory Service drove the couple to inspect properties and helped secure a tenancy at the second place they inspected.” 

There are 15 Housing Service Centres across Queensland, including Cairns, which have RentConnect officers who can provide direct assistance.

“RentConnect officers have developed great working relationships with local real estate agents across Queensland and this partnership is helping install pride back in clients as they find a place to call home,” Dr Flegg said.

RentConnect is funded by the Australian Government and the Queensland Government through the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness.

For more information about RentConnect or general information about renting, visit www.qld.gov.au/housing or phone 1300 880 882.

[ENDS] 17 September 2012

Media Contact: Graeme Hallett 0408 763 671