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This issue: COVID-19 relief, stamp duty and land tax changes, strata and community title, and e
ACT
ACT: Leases (Commercial and Retail) Covid-19 Emergency responses declaration 2021 (ACT)
The ACT has reintroduced affording relief to commercial and retail tenants affected by COVID-19.
For more information please refer to our article ACT reintroduces relief for commercial and retail tenancies.
Residential Tenancies (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Declaration 2021 (No 3) (ACT)
The Residential Tenancies (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Declaration 2021 (No.3) came into effect on 2 September. In summary this D

introduces a moratorium on evictions for those who are in quarantine and for those who are unable to meet their commitments under

allows tenants required to quarantine or self-isolate to remain in the property until their quarantine period ends plus a further 2 weeks
prevents Landlords of COVID-19 impacted households from issuing their tenants with a notice to vacate for rent arrears (or from apply
moratorium period)
permits lessors, tenants, grantors and occupants to vary existing agreements to allow for temporary rent and occupancy fee reduction
agreed, there is no impediment to rents or occupancy fees reverting to their previous rates after the agreed period
prohibits landlords from unilateral rent increases for premises of impacted households during the moratorium period (unless the rent i
introduces restrictions on accessing premises under residential tenancy agreements to undertake physical inspections and non-urgen
permits COVID-19 impacted household to terminate a fixed-term tenancy agreement without penalty by providing a landlord with 3 we
permits the moratorium to prevent landlords from taking measures to evict COVID-19 impacted households which are in rental arrears
commencement of the moratorium period (including where the landlord had previously issued a termination notice, or ACAT had previ
household)
includes a number of transitional measures to provide support to residential tenants and lessors at the end of the COVID-19 eviction m
Please refer to the Declaration here for more information.
Abolition of stamp duty for off-the-plan contracts up to $500,000
From 1 July 2021, all off-the-plan purchases up to $500,000 will not be liable to stamp duty. This will apply to all buyers (ie. not only first h
For more information please refer to the media release by ACT Revenue here.
NSW
Residential Tenancy Support Package
The NSW Government has made the Residential Tenancy Support Package available to eligible COVID-19 impacted tenants, together with
In summary:
an eligible COVID-19 impacted tenant is one who can show that:
rent-paying members of the 'household' (being anyone who normally contributes to rent) have lost employment, work hours or inco
they or a member of their household (or in their care) were or are ill with COVID; and
the household's weekly income has reduced by 25% or more (including any government assistance received) compared to its week
the household continues to pay at least 25% of rent payable;
there is a moratorium on evictions of eligible COVID-19 impacted tenants, commencing on 14 July 2021 and ending on 11 September
landlords who agree to a reduction of rent may claim up to $3,000 in support payments per tenancy agreement.
For further details please refer to the NSW Fair Trading publication here.
Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Amendment Regulation 2021
The Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Amendment Regulation 2021 commenced 13 August 2021. Key changes include:
extension of the prescribed period to 13 January 2022;