The Housing Safety Authority (HSA) is a regulatory body that ensures residential properties in South Australia meet the minimum housing standards. As an independent body, we sit within the SA Housing Authority and investigate complaints made about unsafe and unhealthy living conditions.
The HSA uses targeted campaigns to provide education and advice to encourage compliance with the Housing Improvement Act 2016.
The HSA considers prevention is preferable over acting after a breach has occurred.
Our history
Formerly known as the Housing Improvement Branch (HIB), the HIB was re-named in 2017 as the Housing Safety Authority with its primary purpose to address minimum housing standards that expose occupants and visitors to a health or safety hazard.
The current Housing Improvement Regulations 2017 commenced on 20 December 2018 updating the prescribed minimum standards. The Regulations set minimum standards for a range of issues including construction, amenities, sanitation, and fire safety.
The Housing Safety Authority (HSA) administers the Housing Improvement Act 2016, and the Housing Improvement Regulations 2017, which requires residential premises meet minimum housing standards.
The object of the Act and HSA is to enforce owners to improve the condition of their property to a standard that is safe and suitable for human habitation.
All residential properties in South Australia must meet the minimum housing standards as listed below. Concerns about serious property defects that affect the health and safety of occupants or visitors can be reported to the HSA.
Our objectives:
- ensure housing meets the minimum housing standards
- regulate unsafe and unsuitable housing
- regulate rent payable for substandard properties
- raise community awareness about minimum housing standards.
Substandard properties subject to an order or notice are listed on a public register.
Minimum housing standards
Minimum housing standards are standards that must be met for residential premises to be considered safe and suitable for human habitation.
These include:
- fixtures, fittings or other facilities provided must not present a health or safety hazard
- reasonably free from mould
- continuous supply of electricity
- not present fire hazard e.g. working smoke alarms, safely screen visitors
- external windows fitted with a latch
- external doors unlocked without key from inside
- adequate toilet, bathroom, kitchen and laundry facilities
- adequate ventilation and lighting
- sufficient electrical power points
View minimum housing standards room by room, and examples of what makes a property substandard.
Conditions that make a property substandard
A property may be declared substandard if it does not comply with minimum housing standards (Part 3 of the Regulations) and presents a health or safety risk.
Some examples include:
- inadequate kitchen, bathroom, toilet or laundry facilities
- defective plumbing, gas or electrical services
- poor lighting or ventilation
- Inadequate fire safety provisions
- hazardous materials - e.g. disturbed or damaged asbestos
- premises inadequately converted into a rooming house
- structures that are at risk of collapse.
Reporting a substandard property
Concerns about property defects which affect the health and safety of occupants, visitors to the property, or members of the public can be reported to the Housing Safety Authority who may declare a property to be substandard.
Anyone can make a complaint about the standard of any residential property in South Australia. Before reporting a substandard property, you must:
- review the What we don't do webpage
- report the issues to the landlord or property agent and allow reasonable time and access for repairs
If the property poses a health or safety risk complete the report a substandard property form.
Substandard Property Register
The substandard property register is a public register to alert potential occupants and buyers that the residential premises does not meet minimum housing standards.
Review the residential premises listed in the Substandard property register.
The Housing Safety Authority (HSA) administers the Housing Improvement Act 2016, and the Housing Improvement Regulations 2017, which requires residential premises meet minimum housing standards.
The object of the Act and HSA is to enforce owners to improve the condition of their property to a standard that is safe and suitable for human habitation.
The HSA does not investigate the following matters:
- defects already repaired
- assistance with breaking lease
- compensation
- applications for rent reduction
- maintenance concerns
- reporting an unsightly property
- properties that are not defined as residential premises
- tenancy disputes
- reporting hoarding / rubbish at a property
Who to contact for support
If you need assistance breaking a lease, please contact Consumer and Business Services.
If you have a tenancy dispute, please contact Consumer and Business Services.
If you wish to seek compensation or applications for rent reduction, please contact Consumer and Business Services.
If you are living in a public housing property, contact the SA Housing Authority and follow their processes to report a maintenance issue.
If you are living in a community housing property, contact your community housing provider and follow their processes to report a maintenance issue.
If you wish to report a property for hoarding, or excessive rubbish, please contact your local council.
If you wish to report an unsightly property, please contact your local council.