Tenants in NSW to receive 60 days protection from eviction during the COVID outbreak

Miji Michael July 15, 2021

Tenants across NSW will receive a 60-day eviction ban during the Covid outbreak, while both residential and commercial landlords can apply for financial assistance to reduce their tenants’ rental payments.

This was announced by NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet who said that the federal and NSW state governments have rolled out a $5.1 billion rescue package for businesses and households across the state.

Residential tenants will need to prove a 25 per cent loss of income due to COVID-19 public health orders.

For commercial and retail properties, landlords will not be able to recover a security bond, lock out, or evict tenants affected by the restrictions until first attempting mediation.

Landlords will also receive protection from loss of income. The NSW government is offering relief from the land tax equivalent to the value of rent reductions.

Residential landlords who are not liable for land tax will have access to a grant, capped at $1500.

Tenants and landlords will be expected to work together so that everyone gets through this difficult time.

These measures have been welcomed by industry leaders, with the Property Council saying that landlords were “once again stepping up to play their part”.

The NSW Council of Social Service says that the eviction ban and measures to encourage rent reductions are welcome, but further support may be required if the lockdown is extended.