Public Housing Reforms are working to hold tenants accountable for bad behaviour25 tenants evicted or handed back lease and and more than 70 taken to NTCATClawing back unpaid rent with strict payment plans with 72 homes clearing rent debt
Delivering on its promise to reduce crime and restore the Territory lifestyle, the Finocchiaro CLP Government is cracking down to hold public housing tenants accountable for anti-social behaviour and damage to taxpayer funded housing.
Since launching its Public Housing Reform agenda in March 2025, the CLP Government has significantly stepped-up compliance and enforcement-cracking down on anti-social behaviour, pursuing unpaid rent, and fast-tracking consequences for those who do the wrong thing.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Community Development, Steve Edgington said the years of public housing tenants causing anti-social behaviour and failing to pay their rent were over.
"Labor weakened accountability for public housing tenants and let them accrue huge numbers of red cards for complaints of anti-social behaviour with few repercussions. Labor also waived $69m in unpaid rent debt. We have strengthened tenant accountability for basic responsibilities - to pay rent, look after the house and be a good neighbour," Mr Edgington said.
"Since being elected, thanks to our reforms, in the Greater Darwin region 25 tenants who were constantly doing the wrong thing like causing disturbances have been evicted or handed back leases.
"We promised no more slaps on the wrist and we will ramp up compliance and deliver real consequences for repeat offenders in 2026."
The government has brought 76 formal matters to the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal on issues such as terminations, unacceptable conduct, unpaid rent, untidy yards and failing to provide access for routine inspections or repairs.
The CLP Government is clawing back unpaid rent and has brought in clear rent compliance rules for all tenants, and now prompt follow up action is taken when arrears arise.
Agreements to Pay (ATP) are negotiated on strict terms with clear legal consequences for default.
In urban areas, there have been 72 houses who have cleared their debt and are no longer in arrears due to an ATP, with over 250 homes where ATPs have been effective in reducing arrears.
To curb alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour, the CLP Government has declared common areas of most public housing complexes Alcohol Restricted Premises and is imposing restrictions on individual tenancies with repeat issues. Twenty-seven homes have been declared alcohol restricted so far, including four without tenant consent.
Regular regional safety blitzes with NT Police and partner agencies have seen operations conducted across Greater Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs enforcing liquor restrictions, breaking up disruptive behaviour, and conducting alcohol tip-outs.
"The reform is well underway and delivering results, but there is more to do," Mr Edgington said
"To accelerate progress on the reforms, I've directed the Department of Housing, Local Government and Community Development to establish a dedicated team to solely focus on further delivering these reforms."
The Reform Team has developed a plan of action for a second phase of reform by April 2026. This next phase will build on the progress made to date and include:
intensified enforcement across high-risk tenanciesstrengthened enforcement partnershipsfinalised legislative reform recommendations and an updated policy suitea modernised rent-debt system
The community is encouraged to report antisocial behaviour or other issues relating to public housing properties.
Reports can be made via the 24/7 housing complaints line on 1800 685 743, email at [[email protected]] or fill in the online antisocial behaviour complaint form here.
For properties managed by a community housing provider, report the incident directly to the community housing provider (CHP) managing the tenancy. If unsure which CHP manages a property, contact the 24/7 housing complaints line.
For immediate emergencies, call NT Police on 000 and to report criminal behaviour, call NT Police on 131 444.
"If you see something, say something. If neighbours or community members have issues with housing tenants such as repeated disturbances or not looking after the house with loads of rubbish, please report them to housing so we can take action and improve your neighbourhood.
"The CLP Government remains committed to reducing crime and restoring our Territory lifestyle with this further action to hold tenants accountable a key priority for 2026," Mr Edgington said.
