Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has given the strongest indication of any state or Federal leader yet that relief for residential renters is finally on the way, as the economic crisis caused by coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on individuals.
Andrews fronted media earlier this morning and explicitly stated that a relief package that will provide assistance and relief for Victorian renters – particularly those who have lost work as a result of the pandemic shutdown – will arrive sooner rather than later.
Premier Andrews revealed that the Federal directive on the matter is that each state should devise its own strategy for rent relief, which remains largely in line with the Federal Government’s somewhat decentralised, delegated approach to the pandemic.
Andrews stated that the moratorium on finance-based rental evictions was “very, very important,” and that “we don’t want to see people become essentially homeless.”
Beyond that, the Premier stated that Victorians should expect a relief package soon, asserting “My messages to renters, particularly those who have had to move [off] part-time or full-time employment… we will have a package to support you.”
That package, according to the Premier, will also include relief and assistance for landlords whose mortgage payments may potentially be affected by a reduction in rental cash flow. Andrews stated that the incoming package will deal with “some of the challenges [landlords are facing] too.”
The Federal Government’s approach to rental stress caused by the coronavirus pandemic has been focused largely on an individual level, encouraging renters themselves to navigate the daunting task of negotiating rent reduction or rent waivers directly with their landlords. Anecdotally that has seen some success, however the non-uniform results render it a policy that’s left largely up to chance and circumstance, rather than rule of law.
Premier Andrews reaffirmed that stance this morning, revealing that “that national cabinet also decided given the variability in residential tenancies law [across Australia]… that it was best if each state did their own thing on this.”
There’s no word yet on just what shape or form the Victorian package will take, and whether it will be available across the board to all residential tenancies or whether it will apply to only those that can prove they’ve suffered a significant loss of work and income as a result of the pandemic. However, it remains the strongest and, to date, clearest indication from any State leader that at least some relief is on the way.
