From the archive: This article reports eviction-moratorium announcements and public comments from April 2020. It is preserved as a historical record of the COVID-19 response, rather than current tenancy or legal guidance.
REIA president Adrian Kelly has welcomed clarification from Minister for Housing Michael Sukkar on what a moratorium on evictions means.
“A moratorium on evictions doesn’t mean rent is not payable, it is. If circumstances mean that payment in full is not possible, it is a holding off from payments, not a cancellation,” said Mr Kelly.
“It is for people who cannot pay at this time, not for those that can.
“If you can pay your rent now, you pay it.
“If you can’t pay your rent now, you have been given grace for six months, but will have to catch up when you are able to pay it again.”
Mr Kelly said the Minister for Housing reiterated what the REIA has advised recently, that you should be paying your rent.