2020-12-22
Canberrans will have greater housing assurance ahead of the holiday period as the ACT Government continues its COVID-19 support for tenants into the New Year.
Transitional measures to support tenants dealing with the economic impacts of COVID-19 have been extended to 30 April 2021, as Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury today announced a three-month extension to the Residential Tenancies (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Declaration 2020 (No 3).
“This has been a challenging year for Canberra renters who are struggling to make ends meet,” Attorney-General Rattenbury said.
“This announcement will give tenants and landlords greater certainty this Christmas and ensure tenants will be given more time and support to stay in their homes.”
The ACT Government has worked to support tenants, first through a six-month moratorium on evictions for rental arrears, and now through extended transitional assistance.
Since 23 October 2020, transitional measures have protected COVID-19 impacted tenants from being evicted on the basis of debt accrued during the eviction moratorium period, as long as they pay their rent as it falls due during the transition period.
The transitional measures also allow COVID-19 impacted tenants in fixed-term leases to end their leases early and without penalty if they need to move due to a change in their circumstances.
The Government is also supporting landlords who have reduced rent for tenants impacted by COVID-19 by at least 25%, through land tax and rates rebates available for the period to 30 June 2021.
For more information about the measures, visit: https://www.justice.act.gov.au/safer-communities/protection-rights/information-tenants-and-occupants