The Tasmanian Government is committed to keeping Tasmanians safe and secure through the challenges faced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Government has today issued a further Notice under Section 22 of the COVID-19 Disease (Emergency Provisions) Act 2020 to prevent residential rent increases.
This will mean that rent increases cannot occur until at least 30 June 2020.
This is in addition to the Notice already issued on 2 April 2020 preventing residential rental evictions until at least 30 June 2020.
Under the Residential Tenancy Act 1997, a tenant can seek an Order from the Residential Tenancy Commissioner (RTC) for a rent increase to be deemed unreasonable.
Given the current climate, the RTC would not likely accept any rent increase as reasonable, and has not received any applications since 1 March 2020 relating to unreasonable residential rent increases.
However, this Notice has been issued to act as a further safeguard for residential tenants during these difficult times.
Any rent increase given would be of no effect until the end of the period covered by the Notice.
For detailed information on all emergency changes that have been implemented in relation to residential tenancies, visit the State Government Coronavirus website at https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/
More Media Releases from Elise Archer
More Media Releases from the Minister for Building and Construction