Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader and Housing spokesperson
Residential tenants can breathe a sigh of relief after the Premier’s announcement today of a freeze on rent increases for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency.
Parliament unanimously accepted a Greens’ amendment to the COVID-19 emergency legislation, giving the government the power to stop evictions and freeze rent increases for residential tenants.
We’ve been pushing hard to secure these protections and are pleased the Premier is enacting the rent freeze provision today.
Freezing rent increases is critical to ensuring tenants across Tasmania are not put into further financial hardship. This move will provide some peace of mind.
While we know most landlords are doing the right thing, unfortunately we’ve already heard from tenants who’ve been threatened with rent increases. Today’s announcement will make sure that doesn’t happen.
In a pandemic emergency it is essential that everyone has a secure and affordable place to call home.