The WesternAustralianGovernment has extended the emergency period until 28 March 2021, meaning that theResidential Tenancies (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020continues to apply to all tenancies regardless of whether the tenant is financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or not.
The decision to extend the emergency period in its current form,is short sighted and will create further problems forbothlandlords and tenants in 2021.
Since it was announced on the10September, the REIWA Information Services team have received50per cent more calls, with landlords and tenants seeking advice on their current situation.
While people might think the calls surround issuesoftenantsnot paying rent, this is not the case.
There area significant amount oflandlordswho prior to the pandemic lived interstate or overseas,thathave moved back to WA have been waiting patiently for the moratorium to end, to be able to move back into theirownproperties.
Instead, they are now having to wait another six months before theyare able tomove into their homes and settle back into their lives in WA.
Then there arethosesellingproperties due to financial struggles. On many occasions, the homesareoccupied by a tenant and when the house was sold, was done so under the condition thatwhen the tenant vacated at the end of the initial emergency periodthebuyerwould be able to move in.
However, now the new owner is in limbo for an additional six months, with no place to go, in a time when the rental market has limited propertiesavailable.
This decision shows that the government is totally out of touch with what is happening in the market, which is why REIWA is calling on the WA Government to ease the criteria so that tenants and landlords can access some much-needed relief.
What can you do?
As a landlord, you can have your voice heard by heading toour, downloading the letter template, filling it in with your details and sending it to you local MP, thePremier, Minister for Commerce and the Treasurer.
