Tenant Newsletter March 2021
How to contact us
You probably know that our office is temporarily closed as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, but we are still open for business, with all our staff working remotely! This is how you get in touch with us at the moment:
- For property and tenancy issues call Karina on 0407 082 261
- For urgent after hours maintenance only call Valley Maintenance on
- 1800 088 106
- For anything else you can email enquiries@wpi.org.au
- We can still get letters in the mail (PO Box 2094, Roxburgh Park VIC 3064) and receive emails.
Please tell us if you are diagnosed with COVID-19
It’s really important that you let us know if you are diagnosed with COVID-19, or if anyone in your household has had contact with someone who has. Please tell us as soon as you can!
Maintenance Trouble Shooting
Brighter Future Small Grants Program
WPI currently houses over 200 women and their children (87 school-aged children aged 5-18) in our 193 properties across the greater Melbourne area.
WPI has established a small grants program with funding from some generous supporters to assist our tenants and their children to acquire skills, education and training. This means that you will be able to apply for small grants (from $50 - $200) for educational purposes (both children and adults). These grants are open to all WPI tenants and can cover training courses, educational support materials, school uniforms and shoes, textbooks, backpacks, electronic devices, home Wi-Fi, extra curricula activities, school excursions and camps (post Covid-19 restrictions), and home tutoring via electronic devices.
Get more information and the application form here. You can email the application form back to us at enquiries@wpi.org.au or mail it to us at PO BOX 2094. Roxburgh Park, VIC, 3064
Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act
On the 29 March 2021, the amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act will be introduced. These changes were originally meant to be introduced on the 1 July 2020, but were delayed due to the Coronavirus. To find more information on what exactly is changing or being added, you can refer to the government websites:
Arrears and Assistance
If your income or circumstances suddenly change, call us ASAP to notify us of the change! If you contact us as soon as you know something, we will work with you to avoid you falling into arrears on your rent, and if you are behind, call us and we will arrange a payment plan that you can afford.
For example, Kirsty[1] is currently paying rent based on her Centrelink Parenting Payment, Kirsty’s youngest child is turning eight (8), as soon as this happens Centrelink will require Kirsty to apply for Jobseeker payments. Once approved by Centrelink, Kirsty will need to complete a new rent review form and her rent will be adjusted accordingly so she can sustain her tenancy and afford her rent.
[1] Not her real name