QLD government’s proposed Special COVID-19 Protections for residential tenants and landlords
By Elsa Hsieh, 16 April 2020
On 9 April 2020, the Queensland Government announced several measures to support sustainable tenancies in the residential rental sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Incentives and policies for landlords:
- A three-month rebate of land tax for 2019-20, followed by a three-month deferral of land tax 2020-21 for property owners who agree to provide rent relief for tenants affected by the coronavirus economic downturn.
- Putting a freeze on evictions due to rent arrears for 6 months (from 29 March 2020) for Queensland tenants experiencing financial distress due to the impacts of COVID-19. Landlords/lessors/agents and tenants are encouraged to talk about new arrangements.
- If the tenancy expires during the period of the pandemic, the lease must be extended for a period of six months.
Benefits for tenants:
1. When tenants and owners are unable to reach agreement around new circumstances paying rent that they must engage in compulsory conciliation before any other action can be taken.
2. Prohibition on requiring tenants to withdraw down on their superannuation, selling basic personal assets and passing on personal financial data to their property owner or to an agent, but they may be required to give it to the RTA.
3. Reinforcing to tenants they have a right to refuse entry for non-essential reasons (including routine inspections), particularly if you or a member of your household has a higher risk profile if exposed to COVID-19.
4. Tenants experiencing domestic and family violence who have to do that will not suffer any ongoing liability, they will be able to change locks, upgrade security features to the property and they’ll be able to do that without seeking approval first. Also, they can end the lease with just seven days notice.
5. Tenants can apply for a COVID-19 Rental Grant, for more information please visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/renting/rent-assistance/bond-loan/covid19-rental-grant
Here are some common Q&As for the new policy: https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/the-hub/for-property-owners
Please do not hesitate to contact us on rentals@midasrealestate.com.au if you have any concerns and thank you for continuing to support us.
四亿租赁新政，如何帮昆州业主租客共渡难关？
昆士兰政府于4月9日宣布了有关业主租客权益的新规定，并给出$4亿的财务预算，于4月14日周二生效实施。
肺炎期间对RTA和法规的修订
业主激励补贴及规定：
2. 2020年3月29日RTA宣布冻结因COVID-19造成的财务困境而拖欠租金的驱逐，为期6个月。
3. 如果租约在肺炎期间到期，租约必须再延长6个月，以避免疫情的传播。
租客权益：
租客需要证明他们受到COVID-19的影响导致他们已经丧失全部和部分收入，无法支付部分或者全部租金。业主可以询问租客为何难以支付房租，并要求提供有关证据，例如Centrelink的申请补助确认书，工作停薪留职证明等，做出租金协商。如果租客无法证明其影响，将不会被冻结驱逐，也不允许业主采取任何行动终止租约。新协商的租金原则其依据是根据租客最新的收入，按其比例维持公平合理的租金，使租客履行其付租金的义务。租客在谈判或达成新租金协议期间不得拖欠租金。
新规定下，业主及房仲无法要求租户从其退休金中提取金额付租金或提供详细个人信息，例如银行对帐单等。如无法达成协议，通过RTA进行调解将是强制性过程。RTA可以要求租客提供有关其个人财务状况信息，以帮助解决纠纷。
无论是私下谈判还是强制调解，任何新的协议均应以书面形式记录，包括新租金调整和付新租金的到期时间。
租客有拒绝他人进行非必要活动的权利，包括房屋例行检查。紧急维修工作在一定防护下是允许的。
若受到家庭暴力的租户，他们仅需提前七天告知就能终止租约且不受持续的法律责任，他们可以为保护自身安全，换锁或升级安全防御系统，这一系列举动无需征得同意。
这是一次性最多给到4个星期不超过$2000的租金补贴。补贴会直接付给业主。租客必须要满足以下要求才可以申请：
- 住在昆州
- 并在RTA注册押金
- 澳大利亚公民，永久居民，持有临时或永久保护签证和过桥签证
- 现金存款不超过$10,000
- 提供邮件或相关证据，曾尝试与业主或中介协商租金和付款计划但并能达成协议。
- 已经在丢失工作后，向Centrelink申请了收入补贴。
- 正在等待Centrelink的收入补贴申请被批准。可查看以下网站获取相关讯息: https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/renting/rent-assistance/bond-loan/covid19-rental-grant
昆州政府推出一系列应急措施，旨在保护租客、房东和中介，希望通过三方共同努力，一起渡过难关。
