Elise Archer,Minister for Building and Construction
The Tasmanian Government has provided one of the most generous assistance packages to the private rental market to support both landlords and tenants with their substantial hardship caused by COVID-19.
As of 26 February 2020, the Residential Tenancy Commissioner was considering just four applications for unreasonable rent increases, following the expiry of the emergency period on 31 January, 2021.
This is consistent with the same period in the previous year, namely 26 December 2019 to 28 February 2020.
As demonstrated by the introduction of the residential tenancy protections, our Government will introduce and amend legislation based on need and evidence.
The Residential Tenancy Act 1997 includes protections for tenants when rent is increased, requiring 60 days' notice for rent to be increased and prevents rents from being increased more than once in a 12 month period.
When assessing unreasonable rent increase applications the Commissioner already considers issues such as the value of the increase compared to the trend in similar suburbs or regions, the condition of the property and its maintenance by the owner, a property's location and any other relevant factor which may increase or lower a property's appeal.
We have paid out more than $3.3 million to tenants and landlords experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19, which resulted in keeping Tasmanians safe during the pandemic.
We will continue to look at ways to support Tasmanian tenants and landlords, and they can apply for the additional transitional support available under the Funds until 31 March 2021.
Cassy O'Connor is choosing to blindly ignore the unprecedented and significant support the Tasmanian Liberal Government has invested, to support landlords and tenants throughout the pandemic.
