National Association of Tenants' Organisations' Submission to Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 inquiry into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

The terms of reference for this Inquiry are very broad. This submission recognises that residential tenancies and renting are fundamentally state and territory based issues, however important and far-reaching decisions were made at the National Cabinet level that have directly impacted on people’s ability to meet the challenges and threats of this pandemic, and their ability to sustain their homes during the immediate period as well as the recovery phase.

This submission provides background relating to the Australian housing system and private rental sector, and how this interacts with the public health imperatives and restrictions, as well as broader community well being. An overview of the impacts of the COVID19 pandemic and how these have been addressed for renting households in Australia is then provided. The submission hopes to provide an indication of the relative success of measures, and where further supports are required and gaps in protection have been identified.

In the appendices we provide firstly a detailed comparator of moratorium measures across jurisdictions and in relation to the National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct: SME Commercial Leasing Principles During COVID-19. Secondly we include detailed summaries of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on renters’ housing and responses at the state and territory level as provided by NATO members.