COVID-19 Tenancy issues FAQs
lasted updated September 23, 2020
Disclaimer. We have taken all reasonable care to investigate and understand the implications of COVID-19 on residential tenancies.
If we manage a rental property you own or rent, please be assured that we shall always act in-accordance with the law, your best interests and our values to promote equity and fairness.
What did the Federal Government announce regarding a six-month moratorium on evictions?
Respective state’s and territories have been asked by the Federal Government to place restrictions on evictions for six months* from April, 2020. (Australia Federal Government, 2020)
*support for ACT tenants is til October 2020 (ACT Government, 2020), and for NSW tenants, the measures have been extended by a further six-months (REI NSW, 2020).
Are tenants expected to continue paying rent?
Yes. The six month moratorium on evictions is not a moratorium on paying rent.
It is our understanding, that the eviction moratorium would apply to tenants who are directly and/or materially impacted by COVID-19 and have a legitimate claim for financial distress as a result.
The NSW Government has introduced ‘restrictions on landlords seeking to evict tenants due to rental arrears as a result of COVID-19’ (NSW Government, 2020).
What if a tenant has lost income due to COVID-19 and is experiencing financial distress as a result?
The NSW and ACT Governments have made available up-to-date and detail information regarding the process to follow.
References
Australia Federal Government, 2020. www.australia.gov.au. [Online] Available at: https://www.australia.gov.au/ [Accessed 06 April 2020].
NSW Government, 2020. www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au [Online]. Available at: https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/resource-library/publications/coronavirus-covid-19/property/moratorium [Accessed 14 April 2020].
REI NSW, 2020. www.reinsw.com.au [Online]. Available at: https://reinsw.informz.net/REINSW/data/images/NSW%20Government%20Media%20Release,%2023%20Sept%202020.PDF
ACT Government, 2020. www.covid19.act.gov.au [Online]. Available at: https://www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/open_government/inform/act_government_media_releases/gordon-ramsay-mla-media-releases/2020/act-government-supports-lower-rents-for-tenants-impacted-by-covid-19 [Accessed 09 September 2020].
