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For Affordable Housing properties, rent is set as a discount of the market rent price – usually at 75% of the price of similar properties in the area. Ideally the rent price is no more than 30 per cent of the gross household income.
In this case, Link Wentworth assesses each applicant’s individual circumstances according to the NSW Affordable Housing Ministerial Guidelines.
Link Wentworth charges social housing rent in accordance with the NSW Community Housing Rent Policy.
For Social Housing properties, eligible tenants can apply for a rent subsidy. A rent subsidy means that you only pay a percentage of your household’s income in rent. The percentage is between 25 and 30% of household income plus 100% of Commonwealth Rent Assistance.
You need to apply for a rent subsidy. If you are eligible for a rental subsidy, you will pay less than the market rent for your home.
This application is called a ‘rent subsidy review’. It is important that you complete it on time, so your rent subsidy is not affected. If you return the forms late, there is a risk that you may be charged the full market rent.
Link Wentworth will conduct rent subsidy reviews every six months. The purpose of the review is to make sure you are paying the correct amount of rent and update any changes to your household income.
If your circumstances change, for example someone moves in or out of your home, you start a new job, or leave your job, you must contact us and return an ‘Application for a Rent Subsidy’ form, along with documentation supporting the changes, so that we can reassess your rent subsidy based on your new household income and you don’t fall behind in rent.
Link Wentworth’s water usage charges aim to ensure tenants pay a fair amount and that costs are sustainably managed. Charges for water usage are based on how your property is metered – whether it is shared or separate. We never charge tenants more than we are billed by Sydney Water.
Shared meter properties
If your home shares a water meter with other households, charges are applied in one of two ways:
Not sure how your shared meter tenancy is charged?
Call our Customer Experience Team on 13 14 21 or ask your Tenancy Manager.
Separately metered properties
If your home has its own water meter, most households pay for the water they actually use. A small number of households currently pay water usage based on a percentage of their income, but from 1 July 2026, all separately metered tenants will be charged based on actual water usage.
Why it matters
Water is a utility, like electricity or gas, and its consumption is every tenant’s responsibility. Making sure that charges are clear and consistent means that everyone can manage their usage and pay their fair share.
Passing on these charges consistently helps us to manage costs and continue to deliver important services like:
For more information on how charges are calculated, please see our Water Charging Fact Sheet.
If you’re unsure of how your water is charged, we’re here to help. You can call 13 14 21 or ask to speak to your Tenancy Manager.
You are responsible for the cost of connection and use of electricity and gas. Any faults with wiring/gas pipes or the meter are Link Wentworth’s responsibility.
You are responsible for insuring your own possessions against fire, theft or other damage.
You are responsible for the cost of repairing damage around your property that you have caused, or damage that has resulted from not maintaining your property. Click here for more about repairs and maintenance.
If you need help understanding your rent, please see our Fact sheet.
At the beginning of your tenancy, Link Wentworth will have given you a tenant reference number. Please quote this number when making any tenancy-related payment
This free service is the easiest way to pay if you currently receive a Centrelink payment.
Centrepay is a voluntary bill-paying service which is free for Centrelink customers. Use Centrepay to arrange regular deductions from your Centrelink payment.
You can start or change a deduction at any time. The quickest way to do it is through your Centrelink account online.
Centrepay takes out your rent or water amount directly from your Centrelink benefits, so you won’t need to make payments manually. Most of Link Wentworth’s tenants use this method.
If you’d like to set up Centrepay, please contact your Tenancy Manager.
This free service is the easiest way to pay if you are not using Centrepay. Please note, it is only available for people to have a legacy Rent Card.
Using this service, you can pay your rent, water and other tenancy-related charges:
For more information about the Link Wentworth rent card, download the Rent Card Fact Sheet.
If you are an Affordable Housing tenant, there are two ways in which you can make your payments.
If you are having difficulty paying your rent and bills, please contact your Tenancy Manager. We will work with you to see if we can find a solution.
Your Tenancy Manager can help you by:
