THE Queensland government has unveiled a package of measures to protect property owners and tenants during the covid-19 pandemic.
Queensland will formally freeze evictions due to rent arrears for tenants impacted by COVID-19.
The government has also introduced rental support failsafe measures for tenants experiencing hardship and unable to access or waiting for other financial support, if all else failed.
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said new eligibility criteria is now in place for rental grants of up to four weeks rent, or a maximum of $2,000.
The deputy premier said it is not in the interest of anyone to have tenants left without a place to go.
“This is a last resort for Queenslanders in need of support while they are waiting for federal government support to prevent homelessness.
“We will not allow anyone to be evicted because they can’t pay their rent as a result of this crisis,” Trad said.
Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni said government will also be implementing a retrospective freeze on evictions, as of Sunday 29 March 2020.
“Neither landlords nor tenants are to blame for this, and now is the time for them to work together to get through this pandemic” de Brenni said.
“New protections now mean that property owners will be prohibited from evicting a tenant if their lease expires during COVID-19 public health crisis.
“This means that a property owner must offer an extension to the lease for at least a further six months,”
The minister said for those that can’t reach an agreement, there will be compulsory conciliation for covid-19 related disputes between tenants and landlords through the Residential Tenancies Authority.
