New information: renting & the COVID-19 outbreak

NSW Fair Trading has today released updated information for tenants regarding their rights during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Some of the key questions and answers include:

Can a landlord terminate a tenancy during the coronavirus crisis?

The NSW Government has not yet implemented a moratorium on evictions for people impacted by severe rental distress due to COVID-19.

For the moment, tenants are encouraged to discuss their circumstances with their agent.

What happens if I lose my job/experience a wage reduction before moving into a property?

NSW Fair Trading has determined an agent can keep a tenant’s holding deposit if they decide not to go ahead with their tenancy. An agent can also keep a holding deposit if the tenant fails to take steps to agree to the tenancy within 7 days of paying the holding fee.

However, tenants are encouraged to contact the agent to discuss the situation.

I’m having trouble keeping up with my rent payments. What can I do?

If you fall behind with your rent and cannot pay the overdue amount, talk to your agent immediately. It’s important you don’t ignore the problem as not paying rent is a breach of a tenancy agreement if the rent has remained unpaid for 14 days or more. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for assistance through Centrelink.

What can I do if I don’t want someone to enter the property I am renting?

At Signature Properties Mudgee, we are committed to implementing social distancing measures and rely on the advice provided by NSW Health. This may include postponing routine inspections or conducting digital inspections. Tenants should discuss their concerns with their agent to determine if any non-essential repairs, maintenance or inspections can be postponed.

Urgent repairs to ensure the property meets minimum health and safety standards may need to proceed. We encourage our tenants to discuss any concerns with us or to seek clarity on what we’re doing to keep our clients safe during this unsettling time.

For full details on the changes, visit www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au 

For any information on how the changes impact our tenants, please contact Edwina Smith on 0429 328 086.

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