Our tenant advocates fight for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in all forms of housing.
Call us on 1800 765 767 (free call).
We help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hawkesbury and Macarthur areas.
Who we help
The Greater Sydney Aboriginal Tenants Service (GSATS) is part of the ALS.
We assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are renting their homes.
It doesn’t matter who you rent with – we are here to help. We support tenants who are renting with:
- The Aboriginal Housing Office
- Aboriginal Land Councils
- Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) community housing providers
- Private landlords
- Any other housing providers
How we help
We want to help you find a safe, clean, comfortable home and stay there.
We can:
- Offer advice over the phone or in a visit to your home
- Help you communicate and negotiate with your landlord or housing provider (including DCJ and Aboriginal Housing)
- Attend meetings with your landlord or housing provider
- Help resolve issues with repairs and maintenance
- Attend the housing tribunal (NCAT) on your behalf
- Assist with Housing Appeals Committee applications and hearings, and other appeals
- Connect you with specialist services for help with homelessness, domestic and family violence, disability, mental illness, debt, gambling, drugs and alcohol, and other issues
Our tips for tenants
These are our top tips to avoid trouble and keep your home:
- Keep all receipts and letters from your landlord.
- Always pay your rent, even if repairs are needed. If you stop paying rent, it will be bad for your case if you have to attend a hearing at the Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).
- If you receive a notice to attend NCAT, you must show up to the hearing. If you don’t, the matter will be heard without you. You can ask for an adjournment, so that you can get advice and your matter can be dealt with on another day.
- If you receive a notice of termination or eviction, do not leave your home. Contact us immediately.
- Contact us as soon as you think there may be a problem. The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can help fix any issues!
Call us on 1800 765 767.
Find out more about your rights
Visit the NSW Tenants’ Union website for heaps of information for renters, plus template letters and other resources.
The Tenants’ Union website provides general information only. For information and advice about your specific circumstances, please call us on 1800 765 767.
What if I’m not in Greater Sydney?
We help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hawkesbury and Macarthur areas.
If you live elsewhere in NSW, please contact:
- Northern NSW Aboriginal Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service
- Murra Mia Tenant Advocacy Service (southern NSW)
- Western Aboriginal Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service (WATAAS)
- NSW Tenants' Union