Tenancy groups seek six month ban on evictions

Tenancy groups are seeking a six month ban on evictions and no rent increases for months.

But landlords are in a bind, as their mortgage repayments to the banks are likely due, although some lenders have offered mortgage payment relief without lodging a bad credit notice.

The PM Scott Morrison indicated the resolution was "complicated."

It is an issue that goes back to Friday's national cabinet meeting.

More and more workers are losing shifts, or losing jobs so the prime minister announced that states would work on model rules to provide relief to tenants in “hardship conditions”.

On Sunday, the federal government moved to replace some of the income households have lost, temporarily doubling some social security payments and making grants to businesses.

It is not known how quickly these funds are adequately getting through given overloaded website systems.

Landlords who have insurance for loss of income have been told they to make a claim they would have to take the requisite steps for eviction.

Sydney academics have urged governments to implement a moratorium on evictions as long as the crisis lasts.

Similar changes have already been made overseas as a sudden loss of wages puts renters at risk of arrears.

Renters who miss a payment can face termination orders in about eight weeks.

A government-imposed moratorium on evictions for the duration of the crisis could be done through legislation, or through an emergency executive direction to authorised officers to stop evictions.

In the United States, many states and cities have suspended eviction proceedings against tenants.

Ireland has suspended evictions and temporarily frozen rent increases.

In the United Kingdom, renters in the private or social sector are to be protected from eviction.