Including partner in tenancy agreement

A social housing provider will provide a notice of conditional agreement to MSD when an existing tenant requests that their partner is included in the tenancy agreement.

It needs to be assessed whether the person is eligible for social housing.

To be eligible for social housing and to become a signatory to the tenancy, the person joining the tenancy must meet the following qualifications:

• age
• residence
• be earning income at or under the specified limit and
• have assets under the specified limit

If they do not meet these qualifications, they are not eligible to be allocated social housing and cannot become a signatory to the tenancy agreement. However, they would be considered an applicable person and their income included for the purposes of calculating an Income Related Rent.

The person's need for social housing does not need to be assessed if they are the tenant's partner.

If the housing provider has requested an assessment of the persons or households housing needs (requirements), or the person advises that there has been a change, the households new housing requirements may need to be confirmed.

For example, if the partner has a disability they may need a ramp or rails.

Note there are some circumstances when a request to review a client's housing needs (requirements) can be declined if there is reason to believe these have not significantly changed.

When an assessment has been undertaken, MSD must notify the social housing provider of the outcome of this assessment.