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Despite overwhelming community and industry support, the institute’s future hinges on swift action from the government.
The Tenancy Skills Institute (TSI) in Queensland, which has provided free tenancy education to over 25,000 individuals through the organisation inCommunity Connect, faces an uncertain future. With its current funding set to expire on 31 December 2024, the institute risks discontinuing its course in 2025 unless financial support is secured.
TSI has formally requested renewed funding from the Queensland government, urging leaders to prioritise the program as Queensland’s rental market grows increasingly competitive – with vacancy rates as low as 0.6 per cent in areas like Mackay.
The Queensland government’s department of housing has worked with TSI for the last six years, not long after its opening in 2017. TSI has provided essential skills training to many tenants, from first-time renters to those re-entering the rental market after housing instability. Through its courses, participants learn critical competencies such as managing rental agreements, how to pay rent and ensure it’s received on time, conducting entry and exit condition reports, and effectively communicating with property managers.
The previous funding has allowed TSI’s expert trainers to operate free tenancy education to a community, with members ranging from senior school students, multicultural organisations, and women fleeing domestic and family violence.
CEO of inCommunity, Paul Tommasini, has highlighted how the service is needed now, more than ever, with rental affordability as high as ever and those who lose rentals at risk of slipping through the cracks.
“A property manager can easily and quickly refer a struggling tenant to a community organisation with the expertise to support the tenant and link them to other relevant support services, so the tenant can quickly address the issue that is putting their tenancy at risk,” Tommasini said.
This approach has been pivotal in preventing evictions, ensuring stable tenancies, and reducing homelessness risks.
“When financial assistance is part of early intervention, it is much more cost-effective than if a tenant has to move rental properties or seek longer-term government assistance. It is better for the tenant, it is better for the property manager and the lessor, and it saves money,” Tommasini stated.
For a property manager and landlord, knowing that a prospective tenant has a Tenancy Skills Institute certificate assures them that the applicant for the rental property has taken the time to develop a range of skills and knowledge to manage a rental property, so that the tenancy has the best chance of succeeding.
The institute’s preventative model, which has already sustained over 200 tenancies, saves money for landlords, tenants and the government alike. The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) pointed out that 95 per cent of Queensland’s tenants rent privately, making tenancy education indispensable for preventing systemic housing instability.
The institute has garnered significant support from educators, real estate professionals, and property managers who recognise the program’s importance.
Joel Davoren, managing director of RE/MAX Australia, has praised TSI’s courses for equipping tenants with skills that inspire confidence among landlords and property managers.
Similarly, Tommasini has shared that REIQ, Queensland’s peak body for the real estate industry, has backed TSI extensively.
“We’ve developed a robust tenancy education program with input from the REIQ and countless property managers to ensure our courses are relevant so that Tenancy Skills Institute graduates develop practical skills to manage a rental property successfully in today’s competitive rental market and beyond.”
Educational institutions have also rallied behind TSI. Schools such as Coomera State Special School and Foxwell State Secondary College integrate TSI courses into their senior programs, preparing students for life after school with practical tenancy skills.
Funding provided by the Queensland government has enabled TSI to step up its operations with not just local courses in Ipswich, but the accessibility of courses have reached every part of Queensland, whether in person or online.
Without TSI, thousands of prospective and current tenants will lose access to the resources they need to navigate the complexities of the rental market. This gap could lead to high eviction rates, increased pressure on homelessness services, and further strain on an already stretched housing system.
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