Consumer Charter - Department of Human Services

Your rights and responsibilities explained 7As a tenant, it is your responsibility to:meet your responsibilities as a tenantAll tenants have obligations under theResidential Tenancies Act (1997), includingpaying rent, treating neighbours respectfullyand looking after your home.A full list is available in Renting a home - aguide for tenants and landlords (the red book),which you should be given. You should also beprovided with additional information when yourequest it.If you cannot pay the rent or have anotherproblem, you should contact your housingorganisation quickly to discuss a solution thatsuits your needs and circumstances.4.You have the right to feel safeWhether you are a client of a homelessness assistance service, a resident of a crisis accommodationservice or a tenant of transitional housing or long-term community-managed housing, you can expectthat the organisation assisting you is committed to providing a safe, secure and healthy environment.You can expect that:the organisation will assist you if you areliving in housing or accommodation thatis unsafethe organisation has appropriate safetyprocedures and equipment in placeYou and your children might feel unsafebecause of the facilities or because of otherpeople. Staff of any organisation should eitherbe able to arrange to get you assistance or findthe best organisation to assist you.Procedures and equipment could include:• fire safety• safe travel• safe storage of medications and chemicals• infectious diseases control• hygiene• storage and handling of food• keeping premises, cash and valuables safe.