Eligibility criteria
In order to receive accommodation services from Leukaemia Foundation, you must:
· be receiving treatment for a blood cancer*;
· be genuinely in need of accommodation to access your treatment;
· have a carer staying with you permanently;
· be from regional or rural area or outside of treatment area; and
· have a permanent residence to return to after your stay.
We determine eligibility and access to our facilities in our sole discretion.
Change of circumstances
Should your circumstances change at any time during your stay, particularly if this impacts the above eligibility criteria, you must notify your Accommodation Coordinator immediately.
Costs
Accommodation costs are provided at subsidised or no cost to you, as agreed between you and the Leukaemia Foundation.
Occupancy of apartments
Persons, other than those notified to the Leukaemia Foundation Accommodation Coordinator, are not permitted to stay in the allocated apartment overnight. Any changes to carers must be notified to the Accommodation Coordinator, prior to that carer staying in the apartment.
The maximum number of people who can stay in an apartment overnight is based on the number of physical beds provided and must not exceed this number due to fire safety regulations. If the number of people exceeds that of beds, a warning will be given. After a second warning, your stay may be terminated.
The Leukaemia Foundation’s accommodation is independent living and is not supported outside of normal business hours from Monday to Friday. However, you will be provided with the details of an after-hours contact should you require assistance after-hours in the case of an emergency.
Absences from your apartment
Any absences from the apartment of both the patient and carer, for any reason, must be discussed and agreed upon with your local Accommodation Coordinator prior to vacating - this will be confirmed in writing via SMS or email. Absences that have not been confirmed by your Accommodation Coordinator may put you at risk of forfeiting your accommodation.
If you are going to be away from your apartment for any number or nights you must ensure you hand back the keys to your unit prior to leaving so that staff can enter the unit in the event of an emergency, once you return you can collect the keys back from your local Accommodation Coordinator.
Moving in
Upon arrival, you will receive an accommodation guide and information about the nearest shops, transport, and other necessities. You will also receive the name and contact details of the accommodation coordinator assigned to your location, who is there to help you with any questions or issues.
Use of premises
You and your guests must not use the premises for any illegal purpose, cause any nuisance, or interfere with the reasonable peace, comfort or privacy of other residents and surrounding neighbours.
You must retain your primary place of residency whilst staying in the Leukaemia Foundation accommodation. If you change your primary place of residency, you must tell us as soon as possible. Any change in residency may require us to review the decision to provide you with accommodation.
If you have a specifically agreed check out date upon arrival, you must vacate on this agreed upon date.
Imposing restrictions at accommodation sites
At times, the Leukaemia Foundation may need to impose certain restrictions and safety measures in line with public health advice, these restrictions include but are not limited to; mask wearing, restricting visitors, and closing communal areas. The Leukaemia Foundation expects all residents to comply with these restrictions. Upon introduction of any changes, you will be notified by email or phone.
Maintenance and care
You are responsible for keeping the apartment clean and tidy during your stay, including any external facilities you make use of such BBQs, gardens, games rooms, lounges, balconies, and other common areas.
Please ensure that when you check out of your accommodation unit that you take all personal items with you as unfortunately, we are unable to reuse or repurpose any personal items for other residents who may move in after you.
Insurance and liability
Insurance cover for personal effects is the responsibility of residents and approved occupants.
Use of the accommodation is at your sole risk and to the maximum extent permitted by law, you assume all risk of loss, damage, injury, or death which may be caused or sustained throughout the duration of your stay. No limitation or exclusion of liability applies in relation to any loss suffered or incurred by you to the extent the claim arises from the Leukaemia Foundation’s gross negligence [MCR1] or to the extent such limitation or exclusion is prohibited by law.
Inspections
Leukaemia Foundation team members may conduct inspections, with 24 hours’ notice, throughout your stay to ensure general upkeep and cleanliness. Where possible, suitable times for these inspections will be arranged with you prior to entry. In addition, we may enter your premises in the event of suspected or actual emergency or breach of these conditions.
Keys
Keys, fobs and security codes should not be supplied to people other than those who have been notified to the Accommodation Coordinator.
All apartment keys and fobs must be returned at the conclusion of your stay or when the unit is going to be vacated for any amount of time.
Residents acknowledge that the Leukaemia Foundation retains a duplicate set of keys and may access the apartments in case of emergency or without advance notification.
Supervision of children
Children under the age of 18 residing in the accommodation are the sole responsibility of the accompanying parent or guardian and should not be left unattended at any time.
Damage
Any damage or repairs must be reported to the Accommodation Coordinator as soon as possible.
You are responsible for the cost of repairing or rectifying any wilful, negligent, or careless damage caused to any part of the accommodation or external facilities, caused by or arising directly from the actions of you or your guests.
Pets
No pets are allowed on the premises.
Safety and risk
Safety is important to us here at the Leukaemia Foundation. If you see anything which isn’t safe, please report it to a member of our team.
All residents and visitors to the facility must report any risks (perceived or actual), dangerous activities, or threating or suspicious behaviour. In the event of any medical emergency, fire or if you feel unsafe or are in immediate danger, please call Emergency Services on 000. If it is NOT an emergency, please contact the Accommodation Coordinator to report your concerns.
Communication with Leukaemia Foundation staff
The Leukemia Foundation is committed to maintaining a safe environment for you during your stay at our accommodation. If your local Accommodation Coordinator is attempting to contact you it is important you respond in a reasonable timeframe. Failure to respond within 48 - 72 hours may raise concerns about your welfare and we may report this information to anyone our team considers a necessary contact (including family members, emergency services or other health and welfare organisations).
Timely completion of documents
If relevant to your stay, residents agree to assist in obtaining any signed documentation required in relation to claims under the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) or state equivalent and complete a Record of Stay form as soon as possible after the end of each calendar month.
Smoking
Smoking is NOT permitted in any of our premises or apartments. This includes balconies and common areas. We have a zero-tolerance policy for smoking. Any family or friends who might be visiting must be made aware of, and abide by, these restrictions.
If smoking is detected, you may incur a charge for cleaning purposes. In addition, you will receive a warning and future accommodation may be restricted at the sole discretion of the Accommodation Coordinator.
Medical care and treatment
The Leukaemia Foundation provides this accommodation as independent residential living only, and under no circumstances will it be responsible for medical treatment or care of any resident, carer, escort or visitor.
No medical or health team members are provided as part of your stay.
Departure
Upon your departure, you must leave the premises in the same condition they were in at the commencement of your stay. Allowances are made for reasonable wear and tear during extended stays (i.e. stays over one month’s duration).
Sighting of additional documentation
Upon reading and signing these Terms & Conditions you will confirm that you have also sighted our Eviction Policy as well as any other necessary documents relating to your stay.
Breach of Terms & Conditions and Termination of accommodation
The Leukaemia Foundation may terminate your stay and require you to vacate the premises if you are found to have breached these terms and conditions, by following the process set out in the paragraph below.
Following a breach of these terms and conditions (and depending on the severity of the breach) you may be issued a written warning, which may include a requirement to rectify the breach within a reasonable time. In that case, any further breaches will result in you being required to vacate the accommodation. If Leukaemia Foundation reasonably considers a breach to be sufficiently serious (particularly if for example it involves a wilful breach, or creates a significant safety risk) then Leukaemia Foundation may elect not to issue a written warning and instead require immediate vacation of the premises.
The Leukaemia Foundation may determine the severity of a breach and manage as it considers appropriate, acting reasonably.
*Patients with other cancer diagnoses may also receive accommodation support at the absolute discretion of the Leukaemia Foundation.