The government must commit to changing the
application process for its COVID-19 Rent Relief Scheme to ensure all tenants
can access the program and get the support they need.
Shadow Housing Minister Alison Standen has welcomed
the Minister’s intervention in the case of a tenant struggling to access the scheme,
but says the system is flawed and must be changed.
“Labor had called for the government to support
struggling tenants in the private rental market and welcomed the introduction
of the COVID-19 Rent Relief Scheme,” Ms Standen said.
“But what we had hoped would help reduce the
financial pressure facing many Tasmanians unable to pay their rent because of
COVID-19 has turned out to be a flawed system that makes tenants jump through
hoops to receive the support they need.
“Labor has been contacted by people like Caitlin, a
casual worker who lost hours because of COVID-19 but did not qualify for
JobKeeper and had been unable to access support.
“Caitlin had been unsuccessfully trying to contact
her landlord to reach an agreement about a rent reduction, which is a mandatory
requirement before she can apply for assistance.
“After Labor’s questions in Parliament yesterday,
the Minister Elise Archer agreed to step in to reinforce and ensure the Office
of the Residential Tenancy Commissioner is the point of contact for tenants to
access the program in cases where a landlord will not agree to a rent
reduction. They can assist with negotiations with the landlord or even make the
payment available directly to the tenant.
“While the Minister’s intervention in this case is
welcome, it underlines the need for changes to the system so that others don’t
go through the same ordeal.
“Most people are unaware of the support available
to them in the form of the Residential Tenancy Commissioner or Tenants Union,
yet the onus is on them to follow up themselves or miss out.
“I call on the Minister to commit to changing the
application process to provide additional support for tenants.
“The grant process is flawed and it needs to be fixed so that eligible tenants can access the support they need and deserve.”
Alison Standen MP
Shadow Minister for Housing
