COVID-19 residential rent laws extended for six months

The Western Australian Government has extended the moratorium on rent increases and other provisions until March 28, 2021. The emergency residential tenancy laws are helping those in private and public housing, residential long-stay parks, as well as boarders and lodgers, stay in their rental homes.

Attorney-General John Quigley said, “For residential tenancies, low vacancy rates for rental properties have, and will continue to force rents to rise, and this together with the current unemployment rate, as well as changes to JobKeeper, means families may find themselves in financial hardship.”

For renters and landlords with COVID-19 tenancy issues, the Residential Tenancies Mandatory Conciliation Service will continue offering dispute resolution, finding fair and workable solutions to renting problems.

If you are experiencing financial pressures due to Coronavirus impacts – don’t ignore it! For more information, see our article on How to gain financial help during the Coronavirus or contact us for assistance.

For Landlords

There is assistance for landlords that we can help you with. Contact us so that we can apprise you of all the options available to landlords experiencing hardship.

John Quigley said, “Landlords can also apply to the court to terminate an agreement and evict a tenant in certain circumstances, including when a tenant is seriously damaging the premises or causing injury to the landlord or neighbours. Landlords can also, by court order, terminate a tenancy where they need to return to the premises as their primary residence and retain the right to sell their investment property at any time.”

For Tenants

The Residential Rent Relief Grant Scheme will continue through the extended emergency period with tenants who have had a reduction of 75 per cent or more in their after-tax income eligible for funds.

John Quigley said, “Renters must remember that this is not a moratorium on paying rent. If tenants are not financially affected by COVID and can afford to pay rent, they must do so because private landlords can still terminate a tenancy.”

Renters who have been stood down from their jobs or had their hours reduced, are self-employed, sole traders, casual workers, or contractors are able to apply for a grant equivalent to four weeks’ rent to a maximum of $2,000, paid directly to your landlord who then reduces your rent by the same amount. If you have not applied, contact us, and we will help you through this stressful time.