Looking after your home

Change or add to your public housing home

If you are renting a public housing home and you would like to change or add something to it you must get permission from the department before you begin work.

You are encouraged to take pride in your rental home. In most cases applications are approved.

Alterations that require approval include all of the following:

  • picture hooks
  • curtains or blind brackets
  • irrigation systems
  • installing carpet
  • painting - in neutral colours only
  • removing trees
  • concrete paving
  • air conditioning
  • heating
  • outside shade areas
  • garden shed
  • satellite dish
  • cage, enclosure, fence or other structure for pets
  • power card box
  • security or movement sensor light
  • changing locks
  • security screens
  • electrical or plumbing changes
  • handrails or ramps
  • modifying the property's structure or condition.

Air conditioners are not added to new or existing houses.

You must pay for all costs of buying and installing a new air conditioner including all of the following:

  • materials
  • wiring and additional circuit breakers
  • ongoing maintenance
  • removal and repair of damage caused when you move out.

Carpet is unsuitable for public housing as it is difficult to clean.

Approval for carpet will only be given if you take the carpet out when you move out.

You won't be given permission to install a swimming pool or spa.

The department does not approve installing any of the following at any public housing property:

  • in-ground pools
  • above ground pools
  • portable pools that hold water to a depth of 30 centimetres or more
  • spa pools
  • fish ponds.

Read more about swimming pool fencing and barrier safety standards.

To apply for permission to make an alteration or addition to your public housing rental property, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the form.
Alteration and additions form PDF (790.2 KB)
Alteration and additions form DOCX (592.1 KB)

Step 2. Provide drawings and/or plans of proposed alterations or additions.

Step 3. Provide certification of the changes if necessary.

Step 4. Submit it to your local housing office.

If your request is approved you will be sent written approval including any conditions.

You must return the property to its original condition.

You must pay to fix alterations or additions that are not of a professional or reasonable standard, or fix any damage caused by the alteration.

This is different from reporting any maintenance or repairs.


Repairs and maintenance of your public housing home

You must report anything broken or damaged in your home as soon as possible.

To keep your house safe, secure and pest free, it is important to keep it in good condition.

How to report maintenance and repairs

You can report any of the following ways:

  • contact your local housing maintenance officer
  • visit your local housing office
  • call 1800 104 076.

You can also call any of the following numbers:

Top End
Phone: 08 8995 5122

Arnhem 
Phone: 08 8987 0576

Barkly 
Phone: 08 8962 4558

Big Rivers (Katherine) 
Phone: 1800 104 076

Central Australia 
Phone: 08 8951 5501

Greater Darwin
Phone: 08 8999 8860

Report an urgent issue after hours

If you need to report an urgent repair or maintenance issue after hours, call the repairs and maintenance hotline on 1800 104 076.

You will need to hold while your call is diverted to the after hours call centre.

Repairs you should report

Examples of items that may need to repair are:

  • blocked toilets
  • blocked drains
  • sewage leaks
  • leaking water mains and pipes
  • exposed electrical wires
  • gas leaks
  • dripping taps or taps that are tight to turn
  • stove elements that are not working
  • fans that are not working properly
  • power points that are not working.

Repairs you have to pay for

If you or someone else has damaged your home, you may have to pay for the repairs.

How long repairs will take

Some things will be fixed more quickly than others.

Things that are dangerous will be repaired first.

This includes any of the following:

  • blocked toilets
  • blocked drains
  • sewage leaks
  • leaking water mains and pipes
  • exposed electrical wires
  • gas leaks.

Who does the repair work

Local housing maintenance officers will do general repairs to your home.

Housing officers will organise a contractor to fix any repairs that need a qualified trade.

For more information, contact your regional remote housing office.