Moving Into a SIL Home: Agreements, Rights and House Rules
Before you move into a home with supported independent living, agree with your SIL provider in writing how your support will be delivered. If they also provide the house, you get a separate tenancy agreement covering the rules of the home and the rent. Both should be explained in a way you understand, and you should get signed copies. Your home can't depend on keeping that provider for support.
What Should You Have Before Moving Day?
Three things: SIL in the plan, a provider you've chosen, and the agreements in writing.
- SIL funding in your NDIS plan, with the hours and ratios it's based on
- A registered SIL provider you've chosen, after visiting the home and meeting housemates
- A service agreement for your support, and a tenancy agreement if the provider is also your landlord
- The rent and household costs in writing
- Your provider recorded in the my NDIS participant portal, if your plan uses it
What Goes in a SIL Service Agreement?
The NDIA's guideline lists what to discuss.
- The ratio, amount and intensity of your support
- The price, within the NDIS maximum
- Your responsibilities and the provider's
- How long it runs and how it can be changed
- How disputes are solved
- How your support is used if you go on holiday
- What support you'll get if a housemate moves out
The SIL Practice Standards add how concerns about your home are raised, how conflict between housemates is managed, how vacancies are filled, how behaviours of concern that could put a tenancy at risk are handled, and how you can have visitors.
Looking for SIL Support?
We'll connect you with a registered SIL provider who may have support or a vacancy that suits.
What Are the House Rules?
They belong in the tenancy agreement, and they have to respect your rights.
The NDIA's guideline says a tenancy agreement should tell you who you live with, how you'll get support, what your supports cost, how you can change them, who can help you use your rights, what to do if there's a problem, and other rules about living in your home. State and territory tenancy laws may also apply, so ask which law covers your agreement.
What Are Your Rights at Home?
The SIL Practice Standards set out several.
- You make decisions about your home, routines and relationships, with support if you want it
- You have keys and private space, and control who enters it
- You're involved in decisions about shared spaces and who moves in
- No limits on your access or belongings unless a behaviour support plan says so
- You can change your SIL provider at any time during your tenancy
- You can raise concerns without fear of retribution, and get help from an advocate
What If You Need to Leave Suddenly?
Check what your agreement says about notice and unplanned exits before you sign.
If a shared arrangement breaks down because of a relationship or support breakdown that affects someone's health and safety, the provider may be able to claim from the plan for up to 28 days or until the place is filled, whichever comes first. This only applies if it's written into your agreement, and not when you simply choose to change providers. The NDIA strongly recommends agreements spell out notice periods.
Questions People Ask
Do I need a service agreement for SIL?
The NDIA encourages one and the SIL Practice Standards expect a written service agreement. It's the best way to be clear about your support, the price and how changes work.
Can my SIL provider make me leave if I change support provider?
Your tenancy shouldn't depend on your support provider. The SIL Practice Standards say tenancy and support agreements are legally separate and one isn't contingent on the other.
Can I bring my own furniture?
Usually, and you'll generally pay for your own household items like a bed. Check with the provider about your room and shared spaces.
Keep Reading
- Choosing a SIL providerHow to choose a SIL provider: check registration, then ask about staff, rostering, overnight support, housemates, agreements and what happens if it goes wrong.
- Living in a SIL houseWhat a SIL house is, what living in a shared SIL home is like day to day, how support is shared between housemates, and the house rules and rights that apply.
- Rent and costs in SILWhat people living with SIL pay themselves: rent, food, utilities and household items.
- Changing SIL providerHow to change SIL provider: talk to them first, check your notice period, line up a registered provider, keep your home, and what if yours didn't register.
- SIL accommodationSIL accommodation explained: the homes people live in with supported independent living, who owns them, who pays rent, and how tenancy and support stay apart.
We share your details with one provider at a time, never a list. Privacy policy