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A moratorium on evictions in Victoria will be extended until 28 March 2021 to give both residential tenants and landlords more certainty as the state emerges from Stage 4 lockdowns.
In addition, eligible residential tenants will now be able to apply for rental relief of up to $3,000, an increase of $1,000 to what was previously announced.
Further, the eligibility criteria for relief, which is essentially an assessment of asset holdings, will be increased to $10,000.
This means families will be able to amass significantly more funds than before to be eligible for relief under the Victorian government's program.
The residential tenancies dispute resolution scheme will be also extended until the 28 March 2021 to enable landlords and tenants to work together in good faith to reach new rental agreements in this current climate.
"Everybody would understand the importance of a home in the current environment, the security of a roof over your head in these difficult times," says Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas (pictured).
"We've assessed how the virus is presenting, the length of time that we know that people need security and certainty in terms of their residences going forward."
Residential landlords who give tenants relief under the scheme will be entitled to 2021 land tax relief in addition to relief already provided in the 2020 calendar year.
"Once it is recognised and appropriate agreements have been struck, and there is a clear indication of proportionality that appropriate relief has been given to tenants and that landlords should expect similar relief from the state in regard to the land tax obligations," says Pallas.
The announcement comes as Victoria reports 81 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today.
The state has also attributed 59 more deaths to the coronavirus today, including a number of historical deaths that are the result of the reconciliation of data between private aged care providers, the Commonwealth and Victorian health officials.
Updated at 12:53pm AEST on 4 September 2020.
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