Additional Support for Residential Tenants

Peter Gutwein,Premier

Elise Archer,Attorney-General and Minister for Building and Construction

The health, safety and wellbeing of Tasmanians is our number one priority as we continue to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

That is why the Government took swift action to protect residential tenants affected by the impact and unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, including a halt on rental evictions, restrictions on inspections to support social distancing and a ban on rental increases during the emergency period.

The measures have assisted tenants throughout Tasmania who have been affected by the impact of COVID-19, however we know we can always do more.

The Tasmanian Government will provide further financial assistance to residential tenants through a support fund for tenants who may be experiencing significant hardship with rental payments during the COVID-19 emergency period.

Importantly, the fund will only be available in cases of extreme hardship where other forms of assistance, such as the Commonwealth’s JobSeeker and JobKeeper programs are not providing the assistance required to support rent payments.

We will consult with the Tenants Union of Tasmania and the Residential Tenancy Commissioner to achieve an outcome on the eligibility arrangements for the fund that is reasonable and fair.

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