Victoria's government announced an extension to their rental moratorium this week, which will see it continue until 31 December, 2020.

This will mean evictions will continue to be banned for residential tenancies, except under special circumstances.

Rental increases will not be allowed and residential tenants and landlords who struggle to reach agreement over rent reductions will continue to have access to the dispute resolution service. 

Leah Calnan, president, REIV told WILLIAMS MEDIA they weren't surprised when the annoucement was made.

"However, there needs to be some additional processes put in place for landlords," said Ms Calnan.

"There are many examples of tenants blatantly not paying their rent.

"It is just not foreseeable  how landlords will make it to the end of the year, otherwise.

"VCAT are not tough enough on delinquent tenants as the moratorium  wasn't for tenants to just stop paying their rent.

"There is no help for landlords in this process."

As Victoria continues to grapple with COVID-19 and Stage 4 restrictions, WILLIAMS MEDIA investigated how other states and territories are coping with the rental moratorium, what can be expected in the coming months and how the economy will react.

REIACT

Michell Tynan, CEO, REIACT told WILLIAMS MEDIA they are still awaiting the ACT Government’s decision regarding an extension of a rental moratorium.

"I have no idea which way it will go," said Ms Tynan. 

"We have an election here on 17 October 2020, so the government will go into care-taker mode on 10 September 2020.

"We will be releasing a media statement once we have a decision.

"We have been involved in numerous discussions with the government in recent weeks, however, no indication has been given as to whether our recommendations will form any part of the government’s policy."

Ms Tynan said the current eviction moratorium in the ACT does not end until 22 October 2020.

"Our recommendation to government is for a rent assistance scheme for those COVID impacted tenants facing large rent arrears debts, with modelling for a scheme which would see landlords receive 75 per cent of rent arrears paid in full by government and a loan agreement between tenant and government to realise payment of the debt over an extended period," said Ms Tynan.

"This would allow tenants to remain in their home whilst negotiating an affordable repayment plan with government to repay arrears over 3 years.

"This would be funded from the ACT Government commitment of $39 million in April for the Land Tax Credit Scheme, which to date has only expended $2 million. 

"We are already seeing increased listings of rental properties for sale, we believe in part due to COVID, but also due to increased statutory charges in land tax and rates, making the ACT somewhat unattractive to investors in the current environment."

REIT

Mandy Welling, president, REIT told WILLIAMS MEDIA they have not be advised by Government of any change to the emergency period in Tasmania at this stage.

"As it sits, our extension expires on midnight 30 September 2020," said Ms Welling.

We wouldn’t like to guess as to whether or not this timeline will be extended, there’s always a chance whilst the virus is a threat.

"I can understand the extension in Victoria due to the number of COVID cases and the Stage 4 restrictions in place.

"It’s a terrible situation for them all and we feel for them.

If we are presented with an extension in Tasmania it could certainly create concerns with investors.

"With a rental property shortage already present across the state, it’s a situation best avoided."

REINT

Quentin Kilian, CEO, REINT told WILLIAMS MEDIA there is no rental moratorium in the Northern Territory, rather a Modification Notice.

"In April the Attorney-General introduced legislation in the form of a Modification Notice to the Residential Tenancies Act which brought in amended conditions on ceasing tenancies by extending notice periods to 60 days," said Mr Kilian.

"The current Modification Notice has been extended to 23 September."

Mr Kilian said this weekend's election outcome may be the difference between whether or not measures will be extended.  

"The REINT is preparing a letter to the Attorney-General, whomever that may be on Monday, to have the Modification Notice cease on 23 September to allow the industry to return to normal governance and regulation," said Mr Kilian.

"If the Modification Notice continues it will create a greater financial impact for landlords and property owners, many of whom are under financial stress themselves.  

"It also serves as a disincentive to future investors."

The REINT has surveyed its members and found that less than one percent of their rent rolls were impacted and affected by COVID19.

"As such the REINT is seeking to impress upon the Attorney-General that extending the Modification Notice would be a major impost on the majority of the renters and the industry, rather than a protectionist measure," said Mr Kilian.

REISA

Paul Edwards, Legislation Advisor, REISA told WILLIAMS MEDIA there is a rent moratorium in South Australia until September 30 under the Emergency Response Act.

"I can't see how it won't be extended," said Mr Edwards.

"Once the JobSeeker and JobKeeper payments are reduced or stop, more tenants will be in financial hardship, but it will depend on what the South Australian government's response is."

REIWA

Damian Collins, president, REIWA told WILLIAMS MEDIA there is a rental moratorium until the 29th September, 2020, unless the Western Australian Government changes it.

"Our position in Western Australia is a different situation to Victoria," said Mr Collins.

"We have had no community transfer of COVID-19 for 4 months and we have 98 per cent of people back to normal and normal trading.

"We have put forward a submission where we would prefer the legislation to lapse, however, if there is an extension, it must be changed."

Mr Collins said changes should include limitations to those under the moratorium only being people who are genuinely economically affected.

"If they've had a 25 per cent reduction in income from March to October, they would be included," said Mr Collins.

"95-98 per cent of people are back to normal, so therefore the rental market should be under normal market conditions."

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