Lead Tenancy

Lead Tenancy is a program operated by CHL and some government youth housing organisations. If you do a google search on Lead Tenancy+”state”, you should bring back 2-3 top results on the program.

Lead Tenancy is designed for people with excellent morales, organisational skills, cleaning, ethics and responsibility. You need to be prepared to deal with issues that young people face every day, be highly aware of developing problems, and be of an encouraging and respectful nature.

Lead Tenancy runs in a variety of established accommodation (be it units, apartments or houses), who you are allocated to is not your choice, however you can state a preference for male or female co-habitants and you can state a preferred area.

You will be required to look after the individual/s and make sure that they are leading a responsible, good choice life. You will be responsible for their in-house welfare, but are not their parent. This should be remembered when dealing with the youth. You cannot tell them what to do, or how to do it, you can only offer advice.

You will be required to advise on shopping, social choices, cleaning, hygiene, youth issues and troubles. You need to be available to those in your household at all hours, and be able to get back in case something is wrong. You will need to help them in developing meaningful relationships and also in gaining employment.

You have constant contact with the Case Worker who situated the youths. There is a communication book used to log any and all issues and meetings, it is imperative you keep a log. Regular meetings will be arranged to discuss issues within the house.

Lead tenants are not paid. Instead they are offered subsidised or non-existant rent. Do not go into this for the money. Sometimes issues will push you to the edge, the stress of living with a misplaced or irresponsible youth can push you to the edge. However, if you are dedicated to assisting in youth welfare, the money will be of little to no importance and you will be pleased just making sure another youth isn’t left homeless on the streets.

Do it if you feel you are dedicated enough to youth issues. If I didn’t have a partner and wasn’t beginning a family, I’d jump at the opportunity. Anglicare aided me in my youth and I’d do anything I could to repay them for not leaving me homeless.

The experience will leave you with a profound sense of well-being. You are assisting in removing the homeless from our streets and helping and encouraging young people to grow and spread their wings.

I have previously done Lead Tenancy in a small country town. I feel the experience not only helped my co-tenant grow, but also aided me in my responsibility and outlook on life. Be responsible, be encouraging and you will reap the rewards.

Budget-Learn the skill

It’s the most important thing you will learn in your time out of home (Other than “Don’t drink the bottle labelled “Poison”").

Budgeting will make sure you have an eye on your finances, your wallet, and your shopping so that you don’t careen out of control. Budgeting is probably one of the most vital skills you can learn whether you are just moving out of home or are a veteran renter. My Budget is getting off to a booming start for a reason you know.

Budget for weekly shopping, budget for monthly pay, budget for a new car loan. This way you can always ensure that you can afford the purchase you are going to make.

To quote the ever so cliché quote “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” With budgeting this cliché quote couldn’t be more full of truth. If you don’t budget specifically (ensuring you get down everything you income and owe) on a piece of paper or excel document in one place, then you are likely to miss at least something.

I can’t count the number of times where I’ve failed to budget and managed to forget the power bill or an item that I needed to put some money towards in the house but didn’t set aside any funds.

Learn to budget an actual and expected budget as well. You take your actual balance not on what you think you’ll get or spend, but on what you’ve spent in actual circumstances in the past. Make it more realistic, under budget this section where possible. If you have extra at the end due to over budgeting that’s a bonus that can go towards your surplus or savings.

It’s important to establish a savings and surplus fund. Savings can be used for anything such as a new TV, an xbox, a new couch etc. Surplus sits and waits in your account for a dreaded unwanted bill such as Car Registration or an accident when you’re not covered by insurance. Creating a surplus really only benefits yourself and those in your household.

If you’re left short one month due to an unexpected bill, the ramifications of this shortfall hit your entire household. If you can’t afford to pay rent, guess who covers it?

That’s right- You’re housemates. They will not be happy.

Always ensure you budget and under budget where possible.

“Housemate Types” The Extrovert

The Extrovert

Habitat Habits: The Extrovert can vary incredibly. This type has a large potential to actually hit “The Keeper” status. Extroverts can be noisy, social and sometimes a pain in the butt due to their loud nature- But they can just as easily be clean, tidy and help around the house. It all depends on the level of personality (or lack thereof) that the Extrovert displays.

When to run: This one is easy. You’ll know-without a doubt. You will be kept up until 2-3 a.m. most nights by loud music, loud people in your living room, loud phone conversations in the house mates bedroom, and your house will be party central. This may actually be the perfect place for you, however, if you are a heavy party goer yourself. If so, live it up, if not, get out!

How to deal with them: You will need to determine if you loathe or love the new social world that has opened up around you. If you loathe it you will need to sit your housemate down and discuss options or possibilities for a slightly quieter house, maybe have a equal nights on/nights off of socialising. If you love it, then you deal with it by partying it up every night with them.

How to learn to love them: Love the fact that your social circle has just expanded exponentially! You now have access to a larger circle of friends, varied locations to head out, and a wide variety of personalities to get to know.

How to get rid of them: It is normally contained within your lease that you must aim to keep your neighbours happy by abiding by satisfactory noise levels. If you really want to get rid of the social noisy butterfly, let your real estate agent know that they are disturbing the peace of your neighbours (and regularly) this shouldn’t be hard due to the multiple noise complaints I’m sure you’ve had.

Final note: The extrovert can do wonders for your social circle, your networks, and your nightlife. If you want to get out there and get more into the party scene, latch yourself to the Extrovert. For the most part they’re mainly only annoying if you’re a student who needs to study due to how loud they are. The only time when you really need to worry is when the Extrovert turns into the Druggie, the Sex Fiend or the Sleaze.

Share ads to avoid

You’ve most likely seen them but not even realised what they were.

Here are two examples:

“Two full time employed males, 24, looking for a single white female. Fun loving house, very social, clean freaks need not apply.”

“Full time employed IT technician, looking for quiet, peaceful house mate. Must have own broadband connection, must be used to giving up periods of internet time, must be clean and tidy as well.“

The first sounded like a pretty fun place to live until you notice two particular points. The two men are looking for a single white female. What bearing does ones relationship status have on two guys looking for a house mate? Absolutely none when it is the right kind of house. The fact that this is two young men looking for single women sets all kind of blaring warning signs off. Secondly, clean freaks need not apply. They are helpfully telling you that you are moving into a house that is rarely, if ever, cleaned. Run away from ads like this.

The second screams World of Warcraft nerd. Must have own broadband connection? Must be used to sharing said connection? So basically he’s going to piggy back your internet connection for higher game speed. Neat and tidy? Either he’s expecting you to pick up after his mess (coke bottles and chip packets) or he’s genuinely a tidy guy. Whilst not as bad as the first, this is still one to watch out for. It has all the warning signs of a bad housemate drama story written on it.

Let’s take another two into consideration.

“Two girls, aged 23 and 19 looking for a fun, exciting room mate. Must be okay with a little noise and a few late nights, no busy bodies or librarians should apply! Looking for a friendly, bubbly personality“

“Older male (48) looking for young, vibrant, female co-tenant to share smaller apartment in Eastern *********, apartment is furnished, bedroom included, just bring yourself and a happy personality“

The first is fine if you are a constant partier. The girls, by saying a “few” late nights, mean most weeknights and every weekend. The “No busy bodies or librarians” statement indicates that they will be doing things they know will be questionable, and will be loud about their other activities. Again, great if you are a partier, run away if you are a quiet student.

The second….Well: Run. Now. Pervert Alert. Fully furnished bedroom? A mid life older male looking for a young female? Sure gramps, once you remove the hidden cameras and install a lock on the door. Just. Run.