The State Government will extend the moratorium on rent increases and other provisions until March 28, 2021 in an effort to preserve stability and certainty in the rental market.
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.
Landlords will be supported through the new Consumer Protection Landlord Hotline, a phone service answering questions and offering specialist assistance to residential landlords with COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic related tenancy issues.
The helpline will provide personalised guidance on navigating dispute resolution, including what to do if a tenant fails to pay rent or breaches the lease, or if a landlord is struggling with financial hardship.
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.
Renters who have been stood down from their jobs or had their hours reduced, are self-employed, sole traders, casual workers or contractors should look to apply for grants equivalent to four weeks’ rent to a maximum of $2,000, paid directly to landlords who then reduce tenants’ rent by the same amount.
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.
Further details available at http://www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/covidrenting or by calling the Landlord’s Hotline on 1300 304 054.
The decision to extend the emergency periods until March 28, 2021 is consistent with the emergency period recently announced in Victoria and South Australia.
Source: WA Government