About Rentwell

Rentwell is YWCA Canberra’s affordable property management service, providing quality rental homes across the ACT. For more than six years, Rentwell has partnered with private owners to increase the supply of affordable rental properties in Canberra. 

Canberra’s essential workers — part-time teachers and nurses, childcare educators, public servants and tradespeople — are increasingly locked out of the private rental market. Rentwell bridges this gap. 

Place your investment property with Rentwell and we will lease it at 74.9% of market rate, directly contributing to affordable housing in the ACT. Property owners also receive a tax-deductible receipt from YWCA Canberra (a registered Deductible Gift Recipient) for the value of the foregone rent. 

Your investment property can do more than generate a return — it can make a real difference to the people who make Canberra work. 

Download the brochure.

ACT’s first charitable property management service opens for business

How it works

Step 1

Property Suitability Check
Our friendly team of experienced property managers will start by assessing if your property is a good fit for the Rentwell program.

Step 2

Professional Inspection
Opteon, global leaders in property management, will conduct an independent market rent valuation report. This report will determine the 74.9% affordable rent, providing assurance to the ACT Revenue Office and the Australian Tax Office of a genuine rental discount from market rent.

Step 3

Existing Tenants
If your property currently has a tenant, we will require their permission for Rentwell staff and Opteon to access the property.

Step 4

Timeframe
The pre-rental process described in steps 1-3 typically takes approximately two to four weeks before your property is listed on Allhomes under Rentwell. Once listed, it generally takes an additional one to two weeks to find a suitable tenant.

Step 5

Charitable Tax Deduction and Land Tax Exemption
At the end of the financial year, you will receive a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) receipt from YWCA Canberra for the rent foregone. We notify the ACT Revenue Office of your participation in Rentwell upon the signing of your lease with YWCA Canberra. The ACT Revenue Office will grant your land tax exemption at the start of the following quarter, as they do not apply partial quarterly land tax exemptions.

Our housing expertise

YWCA Canberra has been providing housing support for women and families in Canberra since the 1940s, beginning with the opening of Leave House by Lady Gowrie in 1942. 

Today, we deliver supported accommodation services on behalf of the ACT Government and are a registered Tier 2 Community Housing Provider under the National Regulatory System for Community Housing. Our robust housing policies and procedures ensure compliance with all reporting and funding requirements. 

As a leading community services organisation in Canberra, we are trusted by both the ACT Government and the broader housing sector to provide advice, information, and direct housing services. We are also a proud member of REIACT (membership number 799). 

Our governance

YWCA Canberra is governed by a Board of 12 company directors who set the organisation’s strategic direction. 

The Board follows a Code of Ethics and Proper Practice supported by a detailed Governance Manual that outlines the relationship between the Board and the Chief Executive Officer. 

Our governance structure is further supported by our Constitution, last amended in 2018, which defines the principles guiding our work. 

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Operations Officer (COO) oversee Rentwell’s governance and daily operations. They are supported by an expert advisory committee with representatives from the banking, accounting, legal, real estate, and marketing sectors.