More than 30 social services organisations around Australia have urged companies that provide essential services – energy, water, finance, phones and rental housing – to support people affected by the pandemic.The groups, which include the Victorian Council of Social Service and the Consumer Action Law Centre, argue there must be no disconnections during the coronavirus crisis, that debt collection should cease, and that penalty charges for late payments need to be waived.
Consumer Action Law Centre chief Gerard Brody said as more people self-isolated or practised social distancing, more would rely on essential services at home including internet data and energy. "You can’t maintain social distance and follow the government’s health advice if you don’t have a home," the group's chief executive, Jennifer Beveridge, said. She said renters would be at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 if they needed to find a new home in the midst of the crisis. "With one in three Victorians renting their home, this could be a major issue for community-wide containment.
She said that with median weekly rents in Melbourne of $430 and in Sydney of $540, the government’s one-off stimulus support payment of $750 would "barely be able to keep the wolf from the door for a fortnight".
Obs. Medial rental market is particular high (increased) in regional Mildura. *weekly rent overpriced
Landlords could/should let affected tenants stay in their home rent-free. Everyone is taking a financial hit. Property investors should do their community duty.
Also the self-employed, contractors and freelancers?
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