The moratorium period for COVID-19 impacted residential tenants has been extended for three months to 22 October 2020. In addition, COVID-19 impacted households will now be able to terminate their fixed-term tenancy agreements early, without penalty.
Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay announced the Residential Tenancies (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Declaration 2020 (No 2) today.
"In addition to the moratorium on evictions for rental arrears, a COVID-19 impacted household can now terminate their agreement by providing their landlord with three weeks' notice and evidence that they have been impacted by COVID-19," Mr Ramsay said.
"In these circumstances, tenants will not be charged a 'break-lease' fee or be required to pay additional compensation. However, if they have fallen into rent arrears during the tenancy this money would still be owed as a debt to their landlord.
"This new measure will provide additional support to COVID-19 impacted tenants by removing the need for them to make an application to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) to terminate their tenancy due to hardship," he said.
The Government anticipates making a declaration prior to the upcoming caretaker period, which will further support tenants and landlords. A decision on this will be taken in consultation with any further extension of the current Public Health Emergency.
