A moratorium on evicting renters during the Covid-19 pandemic is set to expire in October, leaving community support groups anxious about the potential increase in homelessness heading towards Christmas.
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Not-for-profit training organisation VERTO has called for an extension to the NSW eviction moratorium following a report from Tenants Union of NSW, which showed a 33 percent increase in "no grounds" termination of leases by landlords.
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The union report highlighted the "huge stress renters have been put under during the COVID-19 pandemic" and VERTO said it had witnessed firsthand "the stress locals in Bathurst, Orange, Wagga Wagga, Albury and Goulburn regions have experienced, with an increase in the number of requests for rental support to its Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Service since March this year".
The 33 per cent lift in the number of "no grounds" termination of leases by landlords was attributed by the union to renters asking for a rental reduction during the pandemic.
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"COVID-19 has created unprecedented change in our everyday lives," said VERTO CEO Ron Maxwell. "The impact on employment in particular has created many challenges and for those most vulnerable in our communities, it can be one that has a catastrophic impact. When renters face such a financial burden, homelessness can become a major issue."
Mr Maxwell said the eviction moratorium had provided "peace of mind" for renters.
"We call on the government to continue this support beyond October 2020 to provide some level of comfort for these vulnerable members of our community."
If the moratorium ends, Mr Maxwell said the impact to communities across NSW would be significant.
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