Understanding the 6–12 Month Timeline for Finding Participants in SDA Properties

Owning an SDA property is a long-term investment, but many owners are surprised to learn that it can sometimes take 6–12 months before a home is fully tenanted. This is not unusual in the SDA space and is often due to several factors:

1. Matching Participants to the Right Property

SDA homes are not “one size fits all.” Each participant has specific support needs, living preferences, and funding categories. Finding participants who are both eligible and a good match for a property can take time.

2. Location and Demand

Participant demand varies by region. Some areas have more SDA-eligible participants actively looking for housing, while others may have fewer. Even within the same suburbs can differ in demand depending on access to transport, hospitals, or community services.

3. Specialist Approvals and Assessments

Participants often need to go through NDIS processes and housing assessments before they can move in. These steps can cause delays, even if there is strong interest in the property.

4. Building Awareness

Unlike traditional rentals, SDA properties are marketed through specialist networks and support providers. It may take time for a new property to become known within the local disability and support community.

5. Ensuring a Sustainable Match

Providers take care to ensure participants are well-matched to each other to promote a safe and harmonious living environment. This matching process is important but can lengthen the timeframe.

The Good News

Although it can take longer to secure tenants compared to a standard rental property, once participants are placed, SDA homes usually have long-term stability. Participants value security and consistency, which often results in longer tenancy periods and reliable rental income.

What We Do Differently

At Ops Care, we actively reduce downtime and help SDA owners get paid sooner:

✅ We work directly with SIL providers to pre-match participants

✅ We promote your vacancy to a wide Support Coordinators network

✅ We handle the paperwork and participant transition

✅ We reduce downtime and ensure you get paid sooner

💬 Real results from SDA owners we’ve helped:

– One property sat empty for 9 months in Melbourne North suburb. We filled it in under 30 days.

– Support Coordinators love working with us for our professionalism and clear process

– Owners enjoy stable, long-term income.

👉 Want to maximise your SDA investment and reduce vacancy risks?

Contact us today to find out how we can help.