Act now to stop ALL EVICTIONS during the COVID19 Health Crisis
Last night, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that states and territories had agreed to a six month moratorium on evictions for renters in financial distress unable to meet their commitments due to the the impact of COVID19. This is a win for all of us who rent our homes - you made this happen!
However we are worried the announced moratorium does not go far enough.
Why there’s a problem
The PM's announcement covers evictions for non payment of rent as a result of financial difficulties arising from the COVID19 crisis. But people who rent can be evicted for many other reasons - including for no reason at all. Regardless of the reason, an eviction means a risk of catching or transmitting COVID19. With the current physical distancing and movement restrictions in place it may not be possible for people to pack up and move their entire homes at all. That’s why we need to stop all evictions at this time.
What the solution looks like
In Tasmania, no “notice to vacate” will have an effect until 30 June 2020. This gives at least 3 months where people who rent don’t have to worry about losing their home. This is what is needed to keep
renters and the community safe - and it’s needed for all renters.
We also need our governments to make sure measures are put in place to ensure renters don't get burdened with massive debts for arrears. They could go some way towards this by putting in place measures, as has already been announced for commercial tenants, that ensure renters can:
- seek rent relief or temporary amendments to the lease
- apply for a reduction or waiver of rent if they are facing financial difficulties
- terminate leases and/or seek mediation or conciliation on the grounds of financial distress
How you can act
It’s now up to State and Territory Governments to implement what was decided at last night National Cabinet Meeting.
Can you write to your Housing Minister? Let them know they should be looking to Tasmania's example and making sure the Eviction Moratorium stops all evictions, for all renters.
There should be no evictions in a health crisis. If we want people to stay at home and keep themselves and their communities safe, we need to make sure their home is secure. This means stopping all evictions for all renters, including boarders and lodgers.
In addition to sending an email you can call your State Housing Minister right now to congratulate them on putting in place an Evictions Moratorium, urging them to make sure it covers all evictions and all renters so that no-one loses their home during this crisis.
- In Victoria? You can call Marlene Kairouz MP on (03) 8685 1555 (Or you can call her electorate office at (03) 8361 7133)
- In NSW? You can call Kevin Anderson MP on (02) 8574 5550 or call the Treasurer Dominic Perrottet on (02) 8574 6900
- In Western Australia? You can call Peter Tinley MLA on (08) 6552-5300
- In Queensland? You can call Mick de Brenni on (07) 3719 7270 (You can also try his electorate office at (07) 3414 2110.)
- In South Australia? You can call Vickie Chapman MP on (08) 8207 1723
- In Tasmania? You can call Elise Archer MP on (03) 6165 7730
- In ACT? You can call Gordon Ramsay MP on (02) 6205 2615
- In the NT? You can call Natasha Fyles MP on (08) 8936 5610
Thank you,
Penny Carr, Tenants' Queensland , on behalf of the 'NoEvictionsCOVID19' community coalition.
